Paris Haute Couture Winter 08-09 Collections

The immortal La Ville-lumière lends its runways to another seasonal display of future trends.

The highly anticipated ritual of elegance - Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week was very much what it promised to be; romantic, feminine, and beautiful with architectural tailoring, past influences, curves, craftsmanship, the hand-executed techniques and details - the true art of beauty. Even if these exceptional creations will never find their way to boutiques or to our closets… true fashion lovers cannot miss a single pose.

Here are some moments:

At the Christian Dior show, genius Galliano seemed to have held back a little, and instead of a larger-than-life theatrical extravaganza he formed an exquisite collection of beautiful fabrics and illustrious classic designs. His luxurious show overwhelmed with a variety of feminine, elegant pieces all beautifully tailored with delicate Japanese touches yet still paying tribute to the old Hollywood 50's glamour and style. It was all about nostalgic, glamorous femininity with a twist; sheer fabric, lingerie-chic and petite 20's style hats. The total look was a beautiful homage to legendary starlets like Marlene Dietrich & Katharine Hepburn. Galliano also paid a fashionable homage to the late great designer Yves Saint Laurent with beautifully decorated fabrics and smoky colors which were the late designer's favorite.

Christian Lacroix, the overstatement conjurer, with his unique "gift" of finding a place for more superfluities and ornaments, always comes through with his glorious collections. The vivid colors of fuchsia, lime, bred and orange mixed with delicate pastels, shell colors, khaki, gold, dark blue and black. The beautiful hand-painted fabrics, the detailing, glorious dresses in silk, taffeta embroidered and encrusted with crystals, lace and scarlet beads, waterfalls of fabrics, silk roses, bows, exotic prints, jeweled and dazzled in a magnificent parade of periodic timeless beauty with a couture style Mohican-do…

For Valentino, the couture debut of Alessandra Facchinetti was perfectly executed. The young designer along with being one of the few women creating a couture brand along with ongoing the legendary legacy of one great designer; Facchinetti managed to create a collection filled with expression, inspiration and feel. There was movement, architectural design and a pastoral aura. A compilation of antique lace, elaborate patterns, sequins, embroideries, floral prints, flowing draped dresses, gentle silks and chiffons, jackets together with egg-shaped, sculpted & curvaceous skirts & garments… a mixture of old and new, innovative and classic sealed with a long red silk chiffon ballgown as an homage to the famous Valentino Red.


Font: Fashion TV