Couture Fashion Week

Last week Paris hosted Couture Fashion Week and it seemed that all tricks were pulled out of the bag. For me couture is all about avant-garde styles, glamour, drama and completely OTT, and although the top designers did showcase beautiful pieces it was all a little mundane for me. If it was not for Dior and Stephane Rolland couture this season would have been, if I dare to say it, slightly boring.

Chanel's Karl Lagerfield always always puts on a show and this season he did just that. Karl had a lot to live up to after March's winter wonderland theme and this A/W he topped it with a lion's head taking centre stage (apparently it is a nod to Coco Chanel's star sign). Chanel's A/W couture hints of Prussian luxury smothered in embellishment. The collection features great coats that have heavily decorated collars, cuffs and pockets, narrow silhouettes and lots of fur. The tones of the collection were nude's, taupe's and brown's which for me is a little boring. Nevertheless Lagerfield's little injection of humour remained, with the last model sporting a lion mask when coming down the runway.

Givenchy's collection this couture season was a concoction of sheer lace, heavily embroidered lace, fringing, fur, tassles, and gold metallic. The majority of the dresses followed along the line of the romantic theme (think Florence and the Machine) however had a hint of futuristic to them. Nevertheless there was one gold metallic gown that bared huge similarities to Lara Stone's (David Walliam's now wife) wedding dress. Although much more exciting than Chanel, the over use of white and the odd pieces in the collection just did not completely do it for me.

Dior. J'adore Dior. Now this collection is how couture, for me should be. The dramatic structures and use of vibrant colours captivated me; the exuberant layering and excessive frills was pure heaven. My favourites were the purple coat, the electric blue coat and the purple floral dress (See pictures below).

The biggest surprise for me was the amazing show by Stephane Rolland. I completely loved his eclectic collection of tailored cinced waist capes with leather gloves, incredibly structured black gowns and electric blue maxi dresses. (See pictures)