Category Archive: Couture

Dec 07 2012

Les Misérables: Anne Hathaway In Givenchy

Where: At the Les Misérables World Premiere in London

Wearing: A white off-the-shoulder beaded Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown from the spring/summer 2012 collection, featuring draped sleeves, dramatic neckline and a plunging open back

Verdict: Well after I got over the shock of seeing Anne Hathaway sporting such a dramatic couture gown – seriously what a contrast to yesterdays blog post about her fun cover shoot with Glamour, I was quietly pleased.

I am sure for some they won’t like this Givenchy gown on Anne, but I love that she went for something daring, but I do wonder how much convincing Rachel Zoe her stylist had to do. But come whether you like this gown on Anne you have to admit this look deserved to be showed off.

What I love is that her pixie hair cut that she has been getting to grips with over the past few months really works with this dress, it allows the gown with its off-the-shoulder and backless detailing really shine, and I am so pleased that she went for bright ruby lips – completes her movie starlet look.

This is sure to divide critics - but what do you think love or hate Anne’s dramatic look?

[Pic: facebook.com/Givenchy]

Tags: Anne Hathaway, Givenchy, Givenchy Haute Couture, Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci, Riccardo Tisci

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Jul 15 2012

Video Loving: How Dior Used A Million Flowers

If like me and you were fascinated and blow away by the setting of Raf Simons’ debut collection for Dior Couture earlier this month and the salons filled floor-to-ceiling with gorgeous flowers you will adore this behind-the-scenes video Dior has posted of the flowers being installed for the show.

Over one million flowers were used, yep one million – how insane is that, and the installation on the video took four days with each flower hand-woven into the walls. This video just shows the incredible lengths that fashion houses go to for their fashion shows and I love it.

Fancy recreating the look? Well you will just need to raid your local florist for delphiniums, peonies, roses, orchids, and achillea!!!

Also want a reminder of the amazing autumn/winter couture show? Well click below:

Tags: Christian Dior, Dior, Haute Couture

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Jul 04 2012

Paris Couture AW12: Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci

Wow, wow, wow!!!

I have to own up I am a huge fan of Givenchy and Riccardo Tisci, the Resort 2013 with its gypsy vibe was simply perfection, and it seems the gypsy is still an inspiration for the Haute Couture autumn/winter 2012 collection, which is described as “the opulence of the gypsy world meets the pure lines of the 1960s” in the presentation notes, which translated by me equals as utterly divine.

What I am loving other than the gorgeous collection of 10 floor-length silhouettes, which have a dark and powerful vibe about them, especially when they are all stood together with a guard dog as their accessory, has to be all the intricate leather embroidery and the beaded fringing.

If you are after couture, seriously Givenchy has to be one of the first places to go, as what I love is the fashion houses’ incredible attention to detailing and its use of use rich and elaborate materials, as well as its stunning approach to styling. Seriously how cool do the oversized mask-like gold-rimmed shades look – perfect finish for Riccardo’s gypsy queens!!!

I am not sure what is more beautiful the collection or that gorgeous dog – what a stunner!!!

[Pics: Vogue.fr]

Tags: AW12, Couture, Givenchy, Haute Couture, Paris Couture

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Jul 03 2012

Paris Couture AW12: Giambattista Valli’s Enchanted Butterfly Garden

I love Giambattista Valli, I can’t remember a red carpet look by Giambattista Valli that I didn’t adore, just thinking about it makes me think of Diane Kruger’s gorgeous gown at Cannes and Sarah Jessica Parker working that incredible red cape gown, so I was excited to see the autumn/winter 2012 Haute Couture show.

I know a lot of people, I am talking tweeter talk, weren’t impressed with the latest Giambattista Valli collection, well I was blown away by how daring the couture collection was for his third appearance on the schedule. Granted if you aren’t a fan of florals, ruffles, peplums or were scared by Silence of the Lambs then this collection probably isn’t for you. However if you love gorgeous prints, big puffy skirts, floaty gowns, feminine ruffles and love dramatic make-up – then like me you will probably love most of the pieces.

Inspired by an enchanted woodland the collection was filled with forest greens, deep reds and Monet-esq floral prints, as well as exquisite gowns covered in feathers and flower embellishments and like with Christian Dior there were a lot of full-skirted silhouettes. What caught my attention the most had to be the make-up with beautiful glittering eyes beneath netted veils and butterflies on the models lips and gold branch-like jewellery around their necks completed the magical styling.

I know this collection won’t wow everyone, that is one of the reasons I love fashion, it never is everyone’s taste; but I can see the likes of Diane Kruger, Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as Emma Stone, Elizabeth Banks and Cameron Diaz wearing pieces from this collection.

What did you think of the Giambattista Valli AW12 Haute Couture collection – do you think it will be a hit on the red carpet?

[Pics: Style.com]

Tags: AW12, Couture, Giambattista Valli, Haute Couture

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Jul 03 2012

Paris Couture AW12: Raf Simons Debuts For Christian Dior

There was a lot of anticipation surrounding Raf Simons’ debut collection for Christian Dior, hardly surprising with all the rumours on who would get the head designer job after Galliano, and because of the circumstances in which Galliano left, and whether Simons minimalist and linear style would work at Dior, especially for couture.

Can you imagine being under that much pressure? No matter how dazzling this collection was, and it was gorgeous, refined and romantic, the comparisons to Galliano and his theatrical approach were always going to come, my opinion is that Simons has adapted to Dior brilliantly and he showcased the clothes and not the drama yesterday, and it totally worked.

Another comparison that was inevitable was comparing the collection to his previous work at Jil Sander, which I think shined through in his signature minimal silhouettes, and especially that red cashmere coat. But this wasn’t a bad thing I liked the combination of the homage to Dior’s past with the florals, the romance, the nipped in waists and full skirts, they mixed in beautifully with his minimal silhouettes. For me this felt like a whole new start for Dior, and left me wanting more, as well as being excited for the ready-to-wear collection in September.

I have to admit I was completely blown away by the setting, did you see the floor-to-ceiling blooms it looked incredible, I just wish I was in Paris to smell them!!! I loved the start with the chic tuxedo, and the beautiful very Dior a-line dresses, and of course the princess tulle dresses towards the end that I am sure will come out for award season, but best of all I loved the combination of the cut-off-ball gowns with the cigarette pants – tres chic!!!

I wasn’t the only one to love the show, Diane von Furstenberg, who was among many designers on the front row tweeted last night:

Raf Simmons did a SUPERB Dior show ! Very DIOR ! Another talented Belgian ! Love Diane

— DVF (@DVF) July 2, 2012

Did you love this collection, I saw some tweets yesterday that it wasn’t ‘couture’ enough – what do you think?

[Pics: Dior]

Tags: AW12, Christian Dior, Couture, Diane von Furstenberg, Dior, Raf Simons

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Jul 02 2012

Paris Couture AW12: Atelier Versace Returns To The Catwalk

It is hardly surprising that the likes of Angelina Jolie, January Jones, Elizabeth Banks, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Lady Gaga have all turned to Donatella Versace’s couture line Atelier Versace for their red carpet, or in the instance of Lady Gaga airport appearances – as this is a line that just oozes glamour and sex appeal.

On Sunday night, Atelier Versace returned to the couture catwalk, don’t get me wrong I loved the spring/summer 2012 presentation, but these gorgeous gowns decked out with prints inspired by Tarot cards deserved their walk down the catwalk.

When I think of couture, I don’t know why but I think gorgeous gowns, red carpet gowns, and I always picture my favourite celebrities in them. For me this show was as Versace as Versace gets – the pastel colours, the hip-high splits, the old-Hollywood hair, the scarf prints, the Medusa emblems and the perforated leathers teamed with intricate lacing and beading – everything was glamorous and made for the red carpet.

I am already hoping that celebrity stylist are pulling the gorgeous gowns for their clients as I type this, I especially want to see Diane Kruger in the pale pink gown above, she would look incredible.

What do you think – could you see your favourite celebrity in one of these looks?

[Pics: Versace]

Tags: Atelier Versace, AW12, Couture, Donatella Versace, Versace

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Jul 02 2012

Couture AW12: Jessica Alba & Fan Bing Bing Dazzle At Atelier Versace

Yesterday, Italian fashion house Versace opened Paris Haute Couture at the iconic Ritz Paris to showcase their autumn/winter 2012 Atelier Versace collection. Last season the label returned to the couture schedule with a presentation, which included some incredible gowns that we’ve already seen on the red carpet, but last night they opened Couture week in style with a catwalk show, if I do say so myself back to wear they belong!!!

I am going to be blogging more on the collection, I don’t want to tease but it was a gorgeous pastel display of utlra-sexy gowns that I am sure the front row celebrities including Jessica Alba, Lea Michele, Fan Bing Bing, Elizabeth Banks, and Christina Hendricks were picking out their next red carpet appearance looks from.

My favourite celebrity look had to be the Jessica Alba’s incredible strapless black leather Versace cocktail dress enriched by black swarowski crystals from the autumn/winter 2012 collection – how divine is this edgy dress and so unexpected from Jessica. I really think that Jessica should wear studs more often!!!

It was tough to choose my favourite look as I also adored Fan Bing Bing in her bright yellow Versace cocktail dress also from the autumn/winter 2012 collection, I love the silver chain-metal detailing to the front and side.

Also gracing the front row was a demure Lea Michele, who actually looked good in a bright orange Versace cocktail dress with grey leather inserts on the front, but what got me was how tiny she is next to Cory Monteith.

The OTT and totally Versace award has to go to M.I.A. who wore a vintage Gianni Versace printed outfit consisting of gold printed lycra leggings, a gold printed top and leather jacket.

Who gets your best dressed award?