Valentino’s Demure Couture – Valentino under designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Picciol has found its own voice throughout the years and spring 2012 haute couture is no exception with a collection of demure romanticism. This season showcased florals, lace, and crystal embellished bodices, all made with the utmost attention to detail. Like many shows this haute couture season, the color palette was light–showcasing silvers, powdery blue and rosy pink for a feminine touch.
Candy Couture – Elie Saab presented a romantic collection of ivory and pastel hues of powder blue, rose and wheat for his spring 2012 haute couture show in Paris earlier today. Known for designing many red carpet creations, this season had its fair share of Oscars ready fare ranging from crystal embellished floor length gowns to leafy prints in mint green. The delicate showing also offered ladylike lace works and sequined paillettes for a sweetly refined take on couture.
Siren Couture – After last season’s tribute to Japan, Giorgio Armani dreamed up a sultry, siren-like vision for the Armani Privé spring 2012 collection. The season’s most standout color was undoubtedly green–from neon chartreuse to forest green–the unlikely hue had its moment in Paris Haute Couture after appearing at Atelier Versace earlier this week. Slinky silhouettes were draped like waves onto the ocean, making the models appear as otherworldly sea creatures as the emerged on the runway. Armani also embraced metallic with techno silver suiting and beaded gowns. Continuing with the underwater theme, sea snake patterns brought a hard edge to the already striking display of gowns.
Skyline Couture – Karl Lagerfeld appeared to be inspired by air travel and stewardess uniforms for Chanel’s spring 2012 haute couture collection presented earlier today. The Grand Palais was transformed into the interior of an airplane with models walking down the aisles in elongated silhouettes and extended shoulder winged sleeves. Playing up the jetsetter theme, blue was a dominate hue for spring with sky blue, sapphire and navy all making an appearance. Amid the blue display, there is crystal beading, drop pocket dresses and pleated skirts.
Dream of Couture – Giambattista Valli played with hard and soft elements for his sophomore haute couture collection presented in Paris this week. Feminine touches of lace, flowers and sequins are juxtaposed with streamlined silhouettes for spring. Valli even included outerwear with sheer capes and a more embellished take on a sixties housecoat. Models also wore large floral hair ornaments to match stunning gowns in hues of plum, fuchsia, ivory and black.
Chloé’s Structured Pre-Fall – For pre-fall 2012, Chloé’s new creative director Clare Waight Keller is inspired by the images of 1960s and 1970s street style photographer Garry Winogrand. Playing with proportion, voluminous egg-shaped outerwear is paired with form-fitting trousers, pleated skirts and button-up shirts. Androgynous silhouettes are given a playful, feminine touch with soft ruffles, folds and pastel accents. / Models – Jacquelyn Jablonski, Kate King
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