Couture Fashion week is one of the most glamorous events in the fashion calendar showcasing the most extravagant gowns and dresses from the biggest labels
It all came to a close on the July 5th this year, after the Parisian catwalks hosted stunning show after show, here are some of our highlights from the week.
A debut from Raf Simons as creative director for Dior saw elegant and glamorous pieces in soft pinks and blues, in keeping with Dior’s clean and modern lines.
Versace returned to the couture catwalks for the first time since 2004, showing sexy yet gorgeously feminine dresses that were alluring in a palette of sorbet colours each emblazoned with intricate beading, detailing and prints.Mere mortals like us can only dream of owning such gowns.
However the biggest news came from Dolce and Gabbana who announced their debut Haute-Couture collection would be launched this month under the name, Alta Moda. Following in the footsteps of fellow Italian fashion houses such as Valentino and Giorgio Armani, design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana showcased a small collection of couture clothing for the first time on July 9th, embracing the higher end of the market.
In a rare turn of events, the label confirmed that they presented to a smallclients-only audience in Taormina, Sicily and not Paris, home of Couture Fashion Week and favoured fashion capital of the world as predicted. The relocation allowed the brand to avoid therequirements French couture could impose on it and gave them the opportunity to launch their first collection away from the prying eyes of critics.
The designers have created exclusive and unique gowns for celebrities such as Katie Perry, Kylie Minogue and Scarlett Johansson, who wore one of their creations to the Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York earlier this year.
D&G’s decision to concentrate on its mainline and couture lines (having closed the lower price D&G brand last year) echoes the moods among other Italian fashion labels, which seem to be doing the same. Versace gave its first couture presentation for eight years at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week back in January, and will return to the couture catwalk with a runway show at the Ritz Paris. Armani launched its Armani Privé couture line back in 2005, and has shown its Autumn/Winter 2012 couture collection this July in the French capital.
Couture clothing isconsidered a badge of true luxury and after seeing other fashion houses couture shows, D&G’s collection has been highly anticipated. Following D&G’s debut during this year’s couture week, to which press were not invited, there are already rumours flooding in that the collection featured lace, embellished flowers, hand painted gowns and complex embroidery, it is safe to say that when more visual evidence comes to light D&G will not disappoint.
