Bonjour! We We! Creme Brulee for me! (That's the extent of my French)
Oh Couture, most people think they know what it means but let me define it for you just in case. Couture - the business of producing handmade, high-end, custom women's clothing designed under strict and historic French couturier guidelines. Say What? It's gotta be high fashion, it's gotta be all hand-made and it's gotta be straight fabulous.
This week is Paris Couture Fashion Week, where all of the big French designers are able to show their true creative spirit (whereas they are usually designing ready-to-wear for the masses). The likes of Gaultier, Givenchy, Armani Prive, Chanel and many others' put on a show that is every fashion lovers dream come true. The runway presentation is often more outrageous than the actual clothes, and the ideas painted are a pure fantasy land of what every woman could be in their wildest fashion dreams.
A lot of reports tear down, over analyze and criticize Couture Fashion Week; saying that the designs do not translate to the modern woman and ya da ya da, but the idea of Couture is to give us Vogue hording fashion freaks a dream, a way things could be, and even more importantly ideas to incorporate into our own personal style! (gasp)
So here's the skinny, overall the shows are bringing clothes back to historic times, those of French Debutant's and Equestrians. The presentation of classic cuts are from the days of Breakfast at Tiffany's and the colors and fabrics are so rich and full of texture your head may spin!
Dior - Equestrian meets The Met Gala circa 1910, with jewel tones and fabrics so rich they belong in a candy store. He takes a creative view on classic cuts of ball gowns and skirts that makes one re-think their next formal outfit. High wastes, plunging necklines, and lots of flowing fabric are a clear theme.
Gaultier - Those fierce shoulders are back in all of their glory! Oh, and hey, how about a couture jeweled sombrero with that re-constructed tuxedo jacket? I say Arriba Arriba!
Givenchy - Think lots of texture, ruffles and taffeta for miles, colors that would either make you dizzy or sing. Hand adorned detail that far beats any bedazzling efforts on my part.
And last but certainly not least, Chanel - Oh Karl Lagerfeld, do it to me over and over again. He shows Mary Tyler Moore in her Easter Sunday's best. Pastels that make your mouth water, rich silk that will hug any curve just right, seamless construction only a genius could achieve.
So "What I am I suppose to do with this?" You may say? Take these pie in the sky ideas and use them on your next trip to Forever21! There is a way to dress thoughtfully with couture flair that doesn't have to break the bank. Over consider your color, fabric, fit, choices. You too can look like a French Debutant with the right eye and some personal style tips from bitchy French men!
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