A look from Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall-Winter 09/10As I was getting ready to pack my bags and board a train to take me from Paris to Florence, Haute Couture Fashion Week was just beginning in Paris. It was a compacted 3-day fashion week and as it has been for several seasons now, a more "subdued" showing from the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne Designers. The recent downturn in the world economic outlook, has once again, brought to light the significance of a $100,000 gown or a $30,000 suit. Nothing highlights this more than the proposed shutting down of Haute Couture "Emperor" Christian Lacroix and his fashion empire, which filed for voluntary bankrupcy 2 months ago. But after all, this is Paris and the Haute Couture show must go on. Here are my favorites from the recent Fall 2009 Haute Couture Fashion Week, with their corresponding runway videos!
Christian Dior:
Chanel Iman Undressed: A look from Dior Haute Couture Fall 2009Designer John Galliano sent out a gorgeous vibrantly-colored collection inspired by the Dior Cabine Models and Muses. He also sought to show the underpinnings of Couture--a continuing theme of Galliano's--by showing a fabulous Dior Bar Jacket, worn only over stockings and a garter and intricate corsetry. All sewn BY HAND darlings! The final gowns were TO DIE!!!!
Click below for the full Dior Haute Couture show in 3 videos:
Jean Paul Gaultier:
Hollywood Meets Paris: A look from Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall 2009For his Fall-Winter 2009/10 Haute Couture Collection, Jean Paul Gaultier was inspired by great Hollywood Screen Legends. Sable-trimmed "House Coats" straight out of a Grace Kelly film, Swarovski-encrusted siren gowns a la Marlyn Monroe, silk velvet bias-cut sheaths reminiscent of 1930's silent movie goddesses and even one or two Mae West-meets-Barbarella futuristic jumpsuits. And to prove his point, he closed the show with the iconic images of these Hollywood screen stars projected onto the runway stage screen. I also loved the cinematic runway show music score.
Click below for the full Jean Paul Gaultier Couture show in two videos:
Christian Lacroix:
The Final Lacroix Collection? A sober yet beautifully elegant one shoulder gown, Lacroix Haute Couture Fall 09Christian Lacroix, on the verge of losing his incredible fashion empire, showed a somber yet stunning collection at Les Musee Arts Decoratifs, the same place I viewed the new Madeleine Vionnet Exhibit. His Fall 2009 Collection--which could be his last-- brought the audience to their feet with thunderous applause as well as tears. His Baroque over-the-top costume-like creations--made famous by the British show "Absolutely Fabulous" (remember "Lacroix Sweety Darling!!")--were completely stripped to their core with just hints of Lacroix's genius eye for unexpected color and intricate beading and embroidery.
Viva Espana! A look from Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Fall 2009Lacroix himself said that he could barely pay his fabric suppliers, embroiderers, and seamstresses for this last collection, and was in threat of not even showing. But his Atelier wanted to continue creating. And so they did. Beautifully.
Click below for the runway video and interview: