Mad for Couture

Originally posted for Splerin.

The iconic Gabrielle Coco Chanel once uttered these thought provoking words many decades ago. Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. ‘Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening’.

In this current generation, we find this quote to be more apparent and evident in the collections that designers create from season to season.  Inspirations and ideas behind the so called trends are shared and divulged upon by the masses through the use of social media, giving design houses a direct link to what their customers want and are wearing capturing the zeitgeist.

However Paris Couture fashion week is the life source and heartbeat to all the 6 collections a year that designers show. This is where pure art and exquisite craftsmanship come together to produce a one-off piece, not worn by the faint-hearted. The limited numbers of couture designers make it incredibly easy to choose your favourites but this doesn’t stop design houses from being competitive; by constantly outdoing each other, year after year with the most dramatic or beautifully cut gowns, sensational hand stitched embroidery or luxurious fabrics. 

Armani Prive manipulated a colour palette of midnight blue, iridescent hues of pink and lavender to produce slinky satin gowns and trousers suits. Chanel played with lengths and fabrication by re-working the dinner coat in a cutesy-tiered tweed whilst Alexis Mabille and Giambattista Valli went regal and royal in gothic blood reds. But it was Christian Dior under the hand of Raf Simons and Bouchra Jarrar that turned traditional couture upside on its head. It was the minimalism of the cut, mixture of prints that harked to a new era of modernity but still vying to be classic. These two shows gave a fresh perspective on couture and how as well as where it can be worn. Bouchra’s belted camel gilet hinted towards the safari jacket whilst Dior’s beaded peplum blazer looked perfect as a transitional work-wear piece. All the show’s were spectacular in their own way and the hybrid of new vs old couture was a coherent theme, which is sure to trickle down to prêt-a-porter. My favourites would have to be Armani and Valentino.

Written and Complied by Melissa S for Splerin.

Images style.com