Runway
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Paris Fashion Week Coverage
Valentino Spring 2012 Couture
As the absolute power of the State was called into question during the Age of Enlightenment, “citizen’s dress” became a mainstay of fashion at the time. Gone were cumbersome hoop skirts, petticoats, and exaggerated bumrolls. In their place stood sleeker silhouettes that rested their conservative laurels on a simplified thesis.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Paris Fashion Week Coverage
Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2012 Couture
Amy Winehouse’s death in 2011 had an odd effect on pop culture. It was one of those tragic stories where everyone sees it coming, but when it actually happens, it’s just about the saddest thing ever. Jean Paul Gaultier pays tribute to the singer for his Spring Couture collection, in what is actually a rather joyful and powerful homage to her signature style.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Paris Fashion Week Coverage
Elie Saab Spring 2012 Couture
There are few designers that can accomplish Elie Saab’s seasonal feat of creating satisfying, uncomplicated and yet, ethereally beautiful gowns. Because of his talent, he has been singled out as the rising star behind so many red carpet looks of late, and this collection is proof that that there is merit to his accolades. We want one thing from Elie Saab: beauty. And he delivers.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Paris Fashion Week Coverage
Givenchy Spring 2012 Couture
On the Givenchy Couture runway, designer Riccardo Tisci took the “less is more” approach by honing this finely crafted collection down to 10 looks. Like a master chef reduces a sauce to make it more potent and flavorful, so Tisci maximized the intensity of these 10 looks. These are denser renderings of Tisci coda than we’ve ever seen before, which goes to prove that Tisci is as capable of creating avant-garde, gothic couture as he is at making fetching ready-to-wear pieces.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Paris Fashion Week Coverage
Armani Privé Spring 2012 Couture
The immensely talented Giorgio Armani has unleashed his work on the masses this Couture Week in the guise of a simple collection that is really anything but. The heavy reptilian influence (in the form of prints, rather than skins – which was nice) is an effort to translate the metaphysical concept of “Metamorphosis” into fashionable garb. Armani cites Kafka’s famous novella as the influence behind this collection, and instead of reading like a desperate literary nod, the move seemed fresh and inspired.