I was quite overwhelmed with the beauty of the just completed Spring Haute Couture Collections in Paris and wanted to share some of my favorites with you today.
Giambattista Valli Spring 2017 Haute Couture. Photo courtesy Vogue.com. I worked with M. Valli with one of his prêt-à-porter collections in Chicago. He is a charming creative genius, very quiet, very professional, a true joy to meet and work with. http://www.giambattistavalli.com
Schiaparelli the reinterpretation of the famous lobster dress. Loved the collection, it looked modern yet classic. Photo Vogue.com http://www.schiaparelli.com
Maria Grazia Chiuri interpretation of the 1947 Bar Suit for Dior her first Dior Couture collection. Photo Vogue.com. http://www.dior.com.
Valentino, first solo collection by Pierpaolo Piccioli, love the sculptured column not an easy look to wear but smashing! Photo Vogue.com. http://www.valentino.com
A new look for the classic Chanel suit, brilliant! Photo Vogue.com
Karl never disappoints….can’t wait to see who will wear this at the Oscars! A dream against the iconic Chanel mirrors. Photo Vogue.com. http://www.chanel.com
Elie Saab magnificent! Photo Vogue.com. http://www.eliesaab.com
The following quoted material is taken from the website http://www.dressful.com
“According to Wikipedia, the term haute couture is protected by law in France and is defined by the Paris Chamber of Commerce (Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris). To earn the right to call itself a couture house and to use the term haute couture in its advertising and any other way, a fashion house must follow these rules:
- Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.
- Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time.
- Each season (i.e. twice a year) present a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirty-five runs/exits with outfits for both daytime wear and evening wear.”
Just a bit of background on my Haute Couture experience, a once in a life time trip to be sure. I was celebrating my 50th anniversary at Saks Fifth Avenue in May 2006. A store rally was being held for my special day. The Vice President/General Manager of the Chicago store, my boss and dear friend, Michael Hawley, brought me to the front of the group and asked the following: “I have something special for you in honor of your anniversary, would you prefer a watch or would you like to go to Couture!!!” I mean seriously, what would you have chosen…I have watches! My dream was to see, once in my lifetime, the Christian Lacroix Haute Couture collection (I had the extreme pleasure of working with him when we presented his first prêt-à-porter collection in Chicago in 1989, I’ll do a post on that event later, I loved his creativity, and his exquisite garments), not only did I see that show, which always ended the week to a standing ovation and roses thrown onto the catwalk, but I saw it ALL.
Lily Cole as the bride for the finale of the 2006 Christian Lacroix Haute Couture collection. http://www.christian-lacroix.com
I accompanied our Executive team to see the magnificent collections that, in my opinion, set the stage for all other fashion at all price levels. It is the laboratory for fashion.
I will post about the entire Paris trip in a future post, I wanted to give you a short overview of my Haute Couture dream as well as the dreamy 2017 Spring Haute Couture collections..
You can view all the collections on YouTube and I would suggest you do so. In addition, the designer’s websites are amazing check them out you won’t be disappointed.