The biannual haute couture shows, held in Paris every January and July, are where the most prestigious fashion houses showcase their whimsical creations. Created by highly skilled artisans from around the world, these inspirational runway pieces are an absolute treat for the fashion enthusiasts. Feathered, frilly and magical, these are some of the dreamiest looks that graced the runways of haute couture Fall 2019 fashion week in Paris.
Schiaparelli
From simple navy jackets to colorful voluminous gowns, Daniel Roseberry’s debut collection is sure to please a range of clients, from the purists to the maximalists. Roseberry characterized his finale pieces as ‘dreamtime’, from the collection transitioning from introversion and hyperreality into pure emotional release with dresses that burst into an incendiary parrot, bird of paradise, and butterfly colors.
Christian Dior
Maria Grazia Chiuri, the creative director of Dior, started the show with a question, “Are clothes modern?” and that set the mood for the whole collection. In her most exquisite and confident couture to date, she focused on construction and silhouette, texture and detail and completely erased color as a consideration.
Ralph and Russo
Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo definitely took their audience back to 1930s with the art-deco inspired collection, which was unveiled on the famous Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré. With an intense level of craftsmanship, the collection was a real-life fantasy with liberal applications of pearls, flowers outlined in mink, fringes of crystals, tiers of ostrich feathers and diamond-effect tiaras.
Iris Van Herpen
For this year’s fall couture, Iris Van Herpen, collaborated with American kinetic sculptor Anthony Howe, whose pieces are powered by the wind. Van Herpen also incorporated the Japanese ink-on-water technique of suminagashi, that created a print of lines, to achieve a positive vibe. Her finale dress was made in the image of Omniverse, with mechanized rotating wings constructed of aluminum, stainless steel, and feathers.
Redemption
Gabriel Moratti created his fall couture collection envisioning a modern woman walking through a Venetian palazzo or a grand Parisian setting. In a range of tailoring and prints, the collection had an 80’s influence with a selection of ruffled capes, Swarovski-encrusted bodices, oversized bows in shimmering satin, and trains of silk chiffon.
Giambattista Valli
At this year’s fall couture, Giambattista Valli staged an exhibition rather than a show, by skipping the runway and showcasing his creations on mannequins instead. The presentation opened with a group of mannequins dressed in monogrammed white button-downs and big tulle skirts. In the exhibition’s final room, he displayed his extravagant ‘birds of paradise’ dresses in new colors, including pale mint, peachy orange, and light blue.
Chanel
In the first season of haute couture without the legendary Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel kept things easy and elegant. For Virginie Viard’s debut couture show, the Grand Palais was transformed into a multi-floor circular library to showcase a collection filled with classic Chanel tweeds and Edwardian silhouettes.
Givenchy
Claire Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy, based her collection on the idea of an anarchic woman who comes through the chateau and all the elements surrounding her. Titled “Noblesse Radicale”, Keller showcased a bold and elegant collection which began as a black and white affair with tweed dresses which was followed by flawlessly contoured gowns decorated with feathers, capes and sharp-shouldered suits.
Alexandre Vauthier
For this year’s fall couture, Vauthier created an abbreviated version of everything that influenced him to become a fashion designer. The collection showcased an exquisite selection of oversize jackets, midi skirts, super-brief running style shorts, and slinky-draped jersey dresses.
Armani Privé
Giorgio Armani showcased his fall Privé haute couture collection in a sun-kissed gallery at the famous Petit Palais museum. The extensive collection was more or less evenly divided into two sections: the opening and closing of the show in black outfits with a pastel color palette in between. Retaining a regal aura, he followed a structured tailoring template that was inspired by the ‘folk’ style of the late eighties and early nineties.
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