Paris Couture Week S/S 2013

Paris Couture Week spring/summer 2013. Over and done with and below are some of my eye-dazzling favourites from the few designers who can afford to produce these luscious but ruinously expensive collections. As I've said before, couture is the epitome of fashion. It is among the last remaining reminders that once every piece of clothing we wore, from our nightdresses to our bustles, was hand-made.

This fashion week in particular was enchanting for me as it seemed many of the designers moved away from edgy statements and unattractive extravagance to pieces that could at least in theory, be worn. There was an abundance of ultra-femininity; lace, fine embroidery, sequins, monochrome, pale colours, demure and classic. A bit of a hark-back to the golden age of couture in the 1950s. As if every house was going back to the archives and doing what they did best - from high-voltage sexy of Versace to structure and nipped waists at Dior.

For more professional coverage, check out Vogue Australia and Style.com and Harpers Bazaar has backstage as well.

Ultra feminine at Alexis Mabille. Images courtesy of Style.com.

 Atelier Versace. High-voltage slinky and sexy, as always. Photos courtesy of Style.com.

 Chanel. Suited, booted, classic. Photos courtesy of Vogue Australia.

 Christian Dior, one of my two favourite shows of the season. I loved every look. 

Photos courtesy of Harpers Bazaar.

Elie Saab. Always one of my favourites for the beauty and style of his designs. Moreover, year after year, they are the sort of dresses and gowns I would buy if I ever had the opportunity. They are dresses I would thrill to wear.

I may have over-indulged on the photo-board.

Paris RTW Spring 2013: wrap up no. 3

It’s over. The Fédération Française de la Couture du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers and Créateurs de Mode (French Fashion Police) can rest easy for a few nights at least before starting to panic about Fall fashion in a few months’ time. 

Alexander McQueen. Image courtesy of The Guardian.

Some of the wrap ups of Paris fashion week include;

Harpers Bazaar’s wrap up of the big four fashion weeks. 

A full wrap up of every look in every show thanks to Vogue UK. Australian Vogue of course.

The Guardian weighs in.

As does the New York Times.

 

Fashion House Chloe turned 60 this year. The sartorial beauty of the house is still going strong. Images courtesy of Vogue UK 

I posted Vionnet a few days ago, here is Vionnet demi-couture. Images courtesy of Vogue UK 

 

 Pedro Laurenco. Images courtesy of Vogue UK.

The models at Olympia Le Tan were clearly told to have fun on the catwalk.  

Images courtesy of Vogue UK.

Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.  This bee hive inspired collection was a far cry from royal wedding garb. Images courtesy of Harpers Bazaar.  

Paris RTW Spring 2013: wrap up no. 2

Paris fashion week continues and I am only a few days behind.

 A new one for me, but I do rather fancy: Maison Martin Margiela. Images courtesy of Style.com.

 Loved the looks at Cacharel. Images courtesy of Style.com.

 

 Vanessa Bruno. Images courtesy of Style.com.

Viktor & Rolf. Images courtesy of Style.com.

 

 Haider Ackermann. Images courtesy of Style.com.

Vivienne Westwood. Another iconic British designer showing in Paris. Images courtesy of Style.com.

Continue to the Boy George look-a-like at Gaultier...

Paris RTW Spring 2013: wrap-up no.1

Paris Fashion Week is the fourth and final of the big 4 fashion weeks. So I will soon stop pretending to be a fashion blogger and get back to what I know: Brisbane and books.

Paris fashion week is HUGE.  It runs for 8 days with maybe 10 shows a day. I always find it interesting just how many London-based designers show in Paris. The cities have very different fashion vibes very different perceptions as locations to show. What Paris is known for in the fashion world is classic styling, impeccable craftsmanship and prestige; London is modern, daring and off-kilter. 

The big names in Paris fashion week are the names anyone would associate with fashion the world over. Christian Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier, Saint Laurent. 

I am not a fashion blogger so I am leaving it to the pros at Vogue UK, Vogue Australia, Style and the City, The Cut and The Satorialist for street style and Harpers Bazaar. One curiosity that I noticed was the prevalence of midriffs and black. Black is classic, always in style, just as good tailoring is always in style. Both of them so French and so chic.

Now I'll be quiet and post some photos.

 Guy Laroche. Images courtesy of Style.com.

 

Rochas. Images courtesy of Style.com.

 

 London based designer Gareth Pugh. Images courtesy of Style.com.

 One of my perennial favourites: Balenciaga. Images courtesy of Style.com.

Impressive and ultimately stunning workmanship at Balmain. Images courtesy of Style.com.

 

 Nina Ricci was awash with takes on classic styling. Images courtesy of Style.com.

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