Last week as in translucent dreams, the creations of the Parisian Haute Couture week took center stage and invoked the pinnacle of fashion, while, at the same time, functioning as a reminder of the glitz and glamour that is not always part of Prêt à porter. Here is an overview of the delicious examples of how fashion can stun and innovate.
Color – A Black and White Affair: The colors mainly used on the couture runways were black and white. Naturally, there were also other shades, such as burgundy and pink, however it was the basic black and white that set the tone, either in combination with each other, as seen at the runway of Chanel and Bouchra Jarrar, or individually as observed at Zuhair Murad.
Techniques – Ruffle a few feathers: The use of ruffles and feather-like details was a fabulous technique showcased at almost every catwalk. Teased and frayed chiffon produced the feather-like quality for some looks and the addition of fringes, like at Armani, made for a particular element in tune with the feather look. At Giambattista Valli the feather skirt made for an impact in an otherwise simplistic silhouette, while these types of details could also be seen at Givenchy. Another small part that gained popularity was the use of ruffles. In all shapes and form, ruffles were presented to add volume but also drama. Viktor & Rolf presented what could be seen as more structural ruffles and added a sophisticated eccentricity to the concept.
Silhouettes – One Way or Another: The biggest trend of the couture season seemed to be that of asymmetry. Many designers presented collections with models baring an arm or with added details to a single side of the piece, as if to shake things up and call for a second glance from the viewer. At Christian Dior, coats were adorned by a fur sleeve while the other was left bare, Versace presented dresses with an ornate side and the other left minimalistic with a unison color connecting the two. Valentino with the clear remembrance of ancient Rome – albeit with a modern touch – presented several dresses with the classical asymmetric twist.
