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| Atelier Versace and Zuhair Murad (photos edited from vogue.it) |
Just as a good piece of art can blow our mind away without needing to own it, for most of us couture belongs to a fantasy realm where we are free to admire the incredible beauty and craftsmanship, even if we know we'll never be able to afford it. Valentino said "women want to be beautiful" and it's true, even men who are totally oblivious to fashion can remember a particular dress.
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| Valentino and Elie Saab (photos edited from vogue.it) |
Fashion's ability to make people feel and look special is quite extraordinary and ironically becomes more vivid in challenging economic times. If we have to limit our purchases we tend to be more selective and choose something remarkable and long lasting, the so-called 'investment pieces'.
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| Zuhair Murad and Elie Saab (photos edited from vogue.it) |
For some women in the world, particularly in Russia and the Middle East, this is their lifestyle and they always demand the best. So designers have to challenge themselves in order to come up with increasingly beautiful couture gowns to impress their savvy clients. They are also put to the test on the red carpet where more and more film stars wear couture, opening the door to worldwide scrutiny.
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| Giambattista Valli and Valentino (photos edited from vogue.it) |
The success of sheers and see-through effects on the latest red carpet event - think Rachel Weisz in Louis Vuitton - seem to have inspired some designers to develop this idea further. Another success on the Golden Globes' red carpet was the cinderella dress and you could also see it on the catwalk. It was impossible not to picture Vivien Leigh on Ulyana Sergeenko's show.
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| Christian Dior and Ulyana Sergeenko (photos edited from vogue.it) |
Couture customers also include a few pop stars who make millions a year and who also have to think carefully about their image and the way people perceive them. Music performances require elaborate outfits which enable stars to feel empowered and shine, so it's hardly surprising to see unconventional couture pieces on the latest couture shows in Paris.
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| Alexandre Vauthier and Iris Van Herpern (photos edited from vogue.it) |
Also fit for stars is the classic black and white combination, always an elegant statement. Overall, couture is always an inspiring spectacle! Highly anticipated, these shows are the crowning jewel of fashion and as customers expand designers are also challenged to venture into new territories. The sky is the limit!
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| Giambattista Valli and Ulyana Sergeenko (photos edited from vogue.it) |
Other related blog posts:
Golden Globes Style
Valentino: Master of Couture
Top Ten Couture Gowns