The Couture Shows

If there were one thing I would love to do in life, it would be to sit front row (with my mother, of course) at the couture shows in Paris. Just to sit in the Grand Palais, in my favorite city in the WORLD. Totally. Unimaginable. Over the last few days, Paris has undoubtedly been inundated with celebrities, models, and fashion designers alike just to see what the famous couture houses have come up with this season.

After going through hundreds of photographs of the shows, I picked out some of my most coveted looks. The pieces that stood out the for the most part came from Valentino, Elie Saab, Alexis Mabille, and Giambattista Valli (best for last, obviously!)

It’s hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to start somewhere, I would start with Valentino. Designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, who stepped up when Mr. Valentino stepped down, the collection was full of floral embellishments and garden-reminiscent pieces, with piping on dresses and capes mimicking that of wrought iron gates. The models practically floated down the runway. As usual, everything was delicate and feminine, as their color palate featured whites, cream, pale pink, gray, and even some black. 

 

Elie Saab’s collection was even more stunning. As usual, the designer has outdone himself, showing his attention to detail with the intricacies of his beading, lace, and embroidery work. His pieces are truly breathtaking. They’re works of art more than anything, which can especially be said about the wedding dress he closed with. I could not believe my eyes. He’s never one to disappoint.

For his first show as an official couturier, Alexis Mabille deserves a grand prize, at least in my opinion. To unofficially quote fashionologie, it was an explosion of pretty-in-pink tulle and a cotton candy. I don’t see anything wrong with that at all! His attention to detail and the dedication of the craft that went into these dresses did not go unnoticed. There were ruffles and nipped in waists, romance and playfulness all at the same time. This is a designer to keep an eye out for in the future! I prefer his collection one thousand times over to that of Karl Lagerfeld’s for Chanel Haute Couture.

I think more so than Dior, and Valentino, Giambattista Valli has become my front-runner for the best of the best in the Couturiers of Paris. His collection actually took my breath away. It was incredible. He covered many different bases - using restrained animal prints, floral embellishments created from feathers, and wasp-waisted dresses. These are dresses we'll be seeing on many red carpets. I would die and go to heaven if I ever had the chance to 1) meet him and 2) wear his designs.

Cheers! The Aristochic