Tuesday 9 July 2013

Couture Fairy Tale

Summer heat is no longer a wish but a reality, Londoners are enjoying an amazing weather, making the most of the beautiful parks and ponds in the city. But this is the time to write about Paris instead, haute couture shows have recently enchanted us with their fairy tale feel. Women have emerged on the catwalk as characters of a novel from a distant past.


Valentino and Alexis Mabille
Valentino and Alexis Mabille (photos edited from vogue.it)


You can always find fabulous dresses to wear on the red carpet, particularly on Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad shows. They are simply precise about what their customers expect and successfully respond to their wish of looking stunning with beautifully crafted pieces. But overall, the latest couture shows have given life to women we tend to picture when reading a period novel. 




Atelier Versace and Ulyana Sergeenko
Atelier Versace and Ulyana Sergeenko (photos edited from vogue.it)


We enjoy picturing a fantasy world populated by heroines who are brave enough to live life to the full, going beyond expectations. They inspire us to look at ourselves more deeply and the way we act; sometimes it's worth going back to our childhood openness and continue asking why. It's not about coming up with definitive answers but to develop though this ongoing process. 




Christophe Josse and Giambattista Valli
Christophe Josse and Giambattista Valli (photos edited from vogue.it)


Designers have certainly personified a quiet storm with demure women exuding power. Elaborate pieces often adorned with a cape intensify the drama. Fashion always looks forward but it also draws inspiration from the past and this nostalgia brings up a new breed of creative input. 




Elie Saab and Giorgio Armani Privé
Elie Saab and Giorgio Armani Privé (photos edited from vogue.it)


Sometimes it can be rather dark as it was the case of Viktor & Rolf and Chanel, but despite the colour it's all about fantasy. Our minds are adorned with dreams, these veils may lead us to somewhere meaningful and worthwhile. Valentino has certainly looked into timeless fantasies to produce its latest exquisite collection.  




Viktor & Rolf and Chanel
Viktor & Rolf and Chanel (photos edited from vogue.it)


Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli have definitely put their own stamp in the brand, defining their style as they go along. The same can be said about Raf Simons for Christian Dior, both brands have departed from their previously built image bringing up their own fresh take on it.




Christian Dior and Valentino
Christian Dior and Valentino (photos edited from vogue.it)
  

We can see this process of creation and destruction all around us, including in our own lives. Without wanting to get too personal, it has been difficult to update my blog due to challenging circumstances but this is still a passion and I will always update it whenever possible. 

"Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life." Bill Cunningham




Vionnet and Alexandre Vauthier
Vionnet and Alexandre Vauthier (photos edited from vogue.it)