Aug 11, 2011

Givenchy Couture Fall 2011. Dreams Do Come True.

Riccardo Tisci has been showing his Givenchy Haute Couture in more intimate installations in the grand corner salon of  Place Vendôme. It is a wonderful way in experiencing couture. This time having the designer being the tour guide of this magnificent collection, discussing the craft that he passionately and obviously respects and loves, was a treat. He explains his couture aesthetic, both provocative and captivating. It was enjoyable listening to him explaining their unique manifestations.


Riccardo Tisci

This Fall everything is made in white and rich in embellishments on silk chiffon or tulle. This line up is beautifully sexy and stunning. Everything must be seen at close up to see the most refined metal work imaginable that rendered one dress as stretches of fringe. Or the hand cut tulle paillettes that covered a dress that was inspired by a graduation project at Central St. Martins is mesmerizing. I appreciated the cat's eye pearls, illuminated by encapsulated crystals, attached with thick cashmere rosettes for his meatiest embroideries, on a cropped sweatshirt.

Givenchy Haute Couture Fall 2011

He explained the painstaking processes; one of which was an embroidery that was accomplished by artisans that wore white gloves as the tool minute stitches with invisible acrylic thread.
Each garment is a beautiful dream come true. All of them designed by Riccardo Tisci for the house of Givenchy.


Givenchy Haute Couture Fall 2011
by
Riccardo Tisci

 

Givenchy Couture Installation
Fall 2011



Aug 7, 2011

Armani Privé Haute Couture Fall 2011. Gorgeous!!!

A wonderful exotic world was met in the foyer at the Théâtre National de Chaillot. There was a vast black bordered red carpet underlit to powerful effect which was perfect for the presentation I was about to see. Armani has always designed wonderful clothes no matter what season it is. Ever since he started Privé, Armani consistently presents beautiful couture designs that are truly spectacular and always takes my breath away. What I always enjoy from Armani is that he is never shy to experiment with shapes, textures and construction. I always look forward to his haute couture collections because there is a powerful simplicity that is so elegant and impressing to the eye.


Giorgio Armani

Dedicated to Japan and the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami, this collection is a loud whisper of sophistication. It is pure elegance that is highly exceptional with the influence of Japanese art and style. He opened with a sleek, structured reed-thin silhouette. His day looks were defined with the peaked shoulders that he loves. There were some beautiful black pieces with pretty partial prints snaking down a sleeve, defining a peplum or spliced across one side of a neckline. For evening the word 'gorgeous' popped in my head. It was the climax of his collection. They were slender and had structure and demanded to be noticed. There were flaps incorporated and folds of fabric that never made anything look overdone. A couple of show stoppers were a black velvet gown with crystal fringing and a melon sequined dress embroidered with flowers, which was the finale piece.
There was never a dull moment in the presentation. I was truly captivated by this supreme collection that truly represented what Armani loves to do. To make a woman look and feel beautiful.


Armani Privé
Haute Couture
Fall 2011

Aug 3, 2011

CHANEL Haute Couture Fall 2011. Sssnap!!!

The set that was a replica of the Place Vendôme with glass street lamps and the dome scraping monument that had an aluminium replica of the Mademoiselle herself was really breathtaking. It really set the tone for what was coming. And what showed up was a true Chanel collection that was was a mixture of androgyny and femininity. It was amazing!
I love that Mr. Lagerfeld plays with new silhouettes every season. Offering everything from daywear to eveningwear, this collection does not miss a beat. Keeping the integrity of the Chanel look and aesthetic, Lagerfeld always gives it a clever twist of newness and edge that goes with the time we are in, always moving forward.
Most importantly, Lagerfeld gets every single aspect of the hands of couture busy, all of which ultimately create these magnificent, chic clothes.

Karl Lagerfeld for CHANEL

This season the peplum is the focal point of this collection which is done in so many different ways. The suits in black and white tweed are modern, boxy and classic, the skirts were to the knee, and the evening wear had some wow factors that are perfect for the red carpet.  This wonderful collection brought back the attention that haute couture was all about full wardrobe-dressing. Somehow some designers missed the mark in the past but not the house of Chanel.
In the present it is setting the example as Mademoiselle always has done so. Sssssnap!


CHANEL
Haute Couture Fall 2011
Part 1


CHANEL
Haute Couture Fall 2011
Part 2