Miss Universe 2011: Haute Couture Spring 2011

Showing posts with label Haute Couture Spring 2011. Show all posts

Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011: Valentino--Photos and Entire Runway Video!!

Big (Valentino) Love:

Amalfi Coast Yacht Party: Silk plisse gown with Ruff-neck cape featuring circular "Valentino" hem detail, Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Valentino House Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli showed their latest offering for Haute Couture this past week in Paris. It was an elegant, subdued, more "realistic" vision of Couture, which is what Valentino has always been known for. Very 60's, early 70's influences and lots of nods to the House, including Lady-Like "Daywear"--almost very "HBO's Big Love"-esque, ultra feminine evening, and THAT "Valentino Red" naturally peeked through. This looks like a very sellable collection and meant for Valentino's older client base as well as their granddaughters with taste.

Where's My Caprese Salad: From Lunch to Cocktails, Valentino blush silk organza ruffled dress, Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Trends: Opaque colors, light roses, blush, red, white, nude-beige, dull blue; Lady-Like dressing; braided hair; RUFFLES Galore; high necklines; covered shoulders; mini ruffs at the neck; Neat put-together looks; lower more sensible heels.

Valentino Proper: This Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 look from above, looks a lot like...

Something actress Chloe Sevigny's character in HBO's "Big Love", would LOVE

Themes: Chloe Sevingy in HBO's "Big Love" meets Lady Who Lunches; Traditional Couture; Elizabeth Taylor meets Jackie O circa 1960.

Highlights from Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011:

Campari and Soda Please: Nude-colored coat dress with bow waist tie and mini convertible collar, Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Apres Beach: Plunging ruffled neckline day-to-cocktail dress, Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Hostess of The Ball: High-necked ruffled silk organza gown, Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Hello Angelina Jolie: Red blouson camisole gown, Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Click Below For a Preview Video of Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011, showing the Seamstresses in Rome sewing EVERY PIECE by hand, the Fit Model modeling the clothes and then the Paris pre-show alterations and fittings:

Click Below for Entire Valentino Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show:

Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011: Jean Paul Gaultier

Punk Can Can!

Le Suit Punk: Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Trends: Very fitted suitings; longer jackets; skinny pants; salmon pink, black, white, golden beige; high-low (short in front, long in back) gowns; pants under gowns.

Themes: Punk Couture; London; Sid Vicious (?); Can Can.

Old-School Couture Shows: Models holding Numbers, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Front Row:

French actress Arielle Dombasle

Pedro Almodovar and Catherine Deneuve

Highlights Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011:

Salmon Trench: One shoulder trench coat double-breasted gown, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

High-Low Numero Un: Black-White Halter Gown with Chantilly Lace lining and skinny pants, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

High-Low Numero Deux: Black Off the Shoulder Gown featuring "Can Can" Ruffled Skirt and White Cuffed Trousers, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Sexy Punk Mistress: Off-white fitted gown, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Le Ball London: Black and white gown, Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Click Below for Behind-the-Scenes and Edited Video of Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 :

Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011: Givenchy Haute Couture

Nippon Robot Couture

Tokyo Goddess: Gown--and Phillip Treacy-designed Headdress--from Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Next up on the Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week Calendar: Givenchy Haute Couture. Designed by the House's Creative Director Riccardo Tisci, the Collection was said to have been inspired by Japanese Robots (therefore the exaggerated "Wing" headdresses and wing detail of the jackets and gowns) as well as dancer Kazuo Ohno, who passed away last June and became a Muse for Tisci. To highlight this incredible collection, Tisci used a cast of ONLY Asian models including Liu Wen, Shu Pei Qin and Tao Okamoto (hurray for the ASIANAS!), who looked absolutely GORGEOUS from these photos.

Trends: "Winged" appliqué and embroidery; blush colors, light rose, "pops" of neon orange, bubblegum pink, and "Highlighter" yellow; gowns with both "hard" and "soft" detail; plissé fabric; evening gowns with SLEEVES and STRONG SHOULDERS; silhouettes that are fitted up top, flowy and loose from the waist.

Themes: Japanese Robots, dancer Kazuo Ohno (above), Wings, Body Armour; Skeletal Study.

Highlights from Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011:

The Back: Back of previous gown at beginning of this post; Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Strong-shouldered jacket and gown, Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

The Back of above ensemble; Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Oscar Dress: Strong-shouldered Lilac gown, Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Feathered Robotica: Ombre feathered gown with sheer illusion (for the Red Carpet this will be lined for sure!) and appliquéd "wings", Givenchy Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week: Stéphane Rolland

Power Draping

Prized Invitation: My Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Invitation

Two weeks ago, I received a very nice Invitation in the mail (tied in a grosgrain copper-colored bow) from Paris (I know!) from the House of Stephane Rolland, Haute Couture Fashion Designer, inviting me to attend his Spring/Summer 2011 Haute Couture fashion show. Well, unfortunately, I couldn't attend (I'm hoping I will receive another invitation for the Fall/Winter 2011 Show!) but instead, I got to enjoy the next best thing: Photos of the show which occurred yesterday.

Now THAT'S A Sleeve: Wheat-colored asymmetrical dress with exaggerated sleeve, Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Stephane Rolland has never met a DRAPE he did not like! Strong, Powerful, Take-No-Prisoners Couture. The line-up was for the "New" 21st Century Roman/Grecian Goddess. Gowns, Gowns and more Gowns...Showstopping dresses that can cost as much as a Mercedes Benz and meant for the A-list actresses and singers who can borrow them--as well as the Middle Eastern Divas who can afford them. I absolutely LOVED the collection. It got my heart doing an excited pitter-patter! Now, THIS...is what Couture is all about. Now, I am REALLY depressed I couldn't attend (insert sad face).

High-Low White: Coat-Gown with high front and long back train in silk gazar with exaggerated shoulders and plunging neckline, Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Trends: High-low gowns; SLEEVES; structural and ARCHITECTURAL draping and folds; plunging necklines; Plisses/Fortuny pleating; Colors: ivory, pumpkin orange, bronzed copper, black, gold; metallic accents.

High-Low Black: Mock-turtleneck dress with high front and flowy train back, Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Themes: Sparta Queen meets Greco-Roman Warrior Princess; Making an Entrance DIVA; Venus Comes out of the Sea...in one of these Gowns!

Clients Include:

Queen Rania of Jordan

Skeikha Mozah Bint Nasser of Qatar and...

Rihanna

Here are more Highlights from Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011:

Oscar Gown: Strapless bronzed copper side-draped gown, Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Orangina Diva: Plunging neckline silk gown with fitted sleeves, Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Imagine Steaming This: Strapless bronzed copper colored silk gown, Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week: Chanel

Black and White COUTURE Swans...

Black Swan: Supermodel Stella Tennant opens Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Show in black and white Bouclé suit and skinny black pants

Chanel Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld: The Spring/Summer 2011 Collection was VERY Chanel; lots of the traditional Bouclé suits the Ladies Who Lunch LOVE. There was a 1960's "touch" in the square shapes and minis but "modernized" a bit in the styling. For example, Lagerfeld put skinny black pants under just about everything. Couture Leggings a la Chanel.

White over Black: NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 sequin paillete cowl-neck tunic/mini dress and capelet over silk ziberline skinny pants

It actually reminded me of my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection and this fabulous little number form our Look Book on Model Amanda Fields: So coincidental, and funny! Well, Karl, my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul (it was his idea) and I ...um...think alike? Nevertheless, I love it!

Spiderweb Queen: White with black beading coat over black sequin skinny pants, Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

Trends: Skinny black pants over EVERYTHING; 60's shapes, boxy shapes on top, fitted/skinny on bottom; white, light rose, blush, sequined details, sleeves for evening.

Themes: Black Swan/White Swan

Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Highlights:

Gossamer Sheath: Light Pink sheath dress with sleeves, Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2011

Michelle Williams Oscar Choice Suggestion: Silver sequin gown with sleeves, Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2011

Shapeless and Modern: Light pink silk iridescent organza and crystal sequined
sheath gown with raglan sleeves, Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2011

Click below for the COMPLETE Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Show:

Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week: Armani Privé

Space-Age Fantastic!

Ladies Who Lunch...In A Spaceship: Aquamarine Suit ensemble, Armani Privé Spring 2011

Spring 2011 Haute Couture is off and running...Next is the Armani Privé--the Haute Couture "arm" of the Armani Fashion Empire--show. I do not think I need to remind you that these are Made-to-Order/One-of-a-Kind items of clothing. This is NOT ready-to-wear or something that will be sold in the Armani stores. Each suit can cost--if the client orders--approximately $40,000. Yes, that's FIVE figures for a suit. And a gown...well, as the old adage says: If you have to ask, you CAN'T afford it ($50,000 and WAY up, kids). Stars who wear these to the Oscars, per se, get it for free (free advertising, HELLO!), but a very wealthy woman, from Kuwait for example, well, the funds are transferred straight from their Swiss Accounts into the Armani Privé offices.

Now let's get to what Armani Privé showed for this season:

Seriously, Where's My Chauffeur? Apple green and white skinny pant ensemble, Armani Privé Spring 2011

Trends: Strapless, tunic dresses, dresses, gowns; iridescent silks (silk organza with metal); super-skinny pants under dresses; Saucer hats; 60's influence; fitted gowns; Colors: Aquamarine, turquoise, apple green, lipstick red, violet and purple, ivory.

Courrèges Girls: Suits from André Courrèges, 1960's

Themes: Pierre Cardin-meets-Courrèges -meets-Paco Rabanne, Space-Age, SHINE, Lady Gaga and "Tron" Collide.

Fashion Encounter of the Couture Kind: Pierre Cardin fashions, 1960's

Style.com's Tim Blanks said this: Inspired, he said, by the gleam of gemstones, Armani produced clothes that came from another planet, the same one that Pierre Cardin and Thierry Mugler might have touched down on once. (It's already been suggested its name could be Gaga.) The first outfit—jacket, skirt, and leggings—shimmered around the model's body like liquid mercury. Her metallic saucer of a hat—one of many made by Philip Treacy for the collection—beamed in signals from above. The ensemble set the tone for the sci-fi extravaganza that followed.

Here are Some Highlights:

Where's My Lunch Reservation: Navy blue skinny trouser suit with over-lapped jacket, contrast white sleeve and asymmetrical neck detail, Armani Privé Spring 2011

Paco Rabanne Is Smiling: Over-sized Paillette Crystal strapless gown, Armani Privé Spring 2011

Oscar Girl: This is probably the gown we might see at the Academy Awards Red Carpet, red silk iridescent metalized organza off-the-shoulder fitted gown, Armani Privé Spring 2011

Click Below for an edited version of the Armani Prive Spring/Summer 2011 Collection:

I love a good "behind the scenes" video...
This one below is of the Armani Privé fittings; you get to see some close-up shots of the amazing fabrications and all those GREAT accessories:

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011: Christian Dior

A Tribute to René Gruau...

Grace Kelly 2011: Dior Haute Couture Spring 2011

Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week began yesterday in Paris, following the Menswear Shows--and so the "Oscars Gowns Race" begins...First up Christian Dior Haute Couture by John Galliano.

Theme: It was a Tribute to renowned illustrator... René Gruau (above) who worked for numerous magazines including Elle, L'Officiel, Vogue, and Marie Claire, among others, as well as doing several of the Dior ad campaigns.

He gave life to the stunning Haute Couture creations in the magazines showing the exaggerated shapes and ultra elegant emotions only Haute Couture can emote. As a result, Gruau popularized and expanded its worldwide appeal.

Oscar Gown, No Alterations Needed: On a non-5'11" actress, this will hit the FLOOR, Dior Haute Couture Spring 2011

Trends: For Spring 2011, Galliano played on the "Ultimate Dior Muse": Wasp-waisted, 50's silhouettes; High-low (shorter in front, longer in back) dresses; Grace Kelly in Monaco-meets-Princess Soraya of Iran; Vermillion reds, rose pinks, nudes, ivory, bronzed copper, ombre iridescent shadings; Gowns, Gowns and More Gowns (it's COUTURE darlings!).

Office Couture: Dior Haute Couture Spring 2011

Tim Blanks, of Style.com said this: It was remarkable that such extravagance managed to capture the speed, the spontaneity, the airiness, even the economy of the illustrator's work. Opulently swagged tops and gowns bobbed and floated like billowing sails. One utterly gorgeous thing hid roses in clouds of white marabou. Dior's New Look was an obvious source point for skirts that flared from corseted waists or dropped pencil-thin to below the knee from rounded hips.

Here I offer some of my favorites which you might see at the Academy Awards Red Carpet...