couture

Spring 2017 Couture Collections: Three Highlights

The Fashion Folks 62 Comments

So life can be hard at times, we all know that. There is always encouragement to be found in haute couture. Only watching though, as couture is kind of like werable paintings. Expensive as hell but painfully pretty to look at. Well well, enough of me rambling: here are Spring 2017 Couture Collections! And oh, here’s a full post on what couture is!

Elie Saab Spring 2017 Couture Collection

It might seem that I favor Saab as I often include his work, but the man has brought gorgeous collections the past season and definitely elevated his work. So why not give him some cred while we’re at it. Elie Saab 2017 Couture Collection is what you expect it to be, but better. There are transparent dresses (and a lot of them), with embellishment and embroidery that creates sophisticated, glamorous looks that are easy to like. This time around though, Saab was even more bold with embellishment and finding a theme and purpose for the creations. The collection touched different themes but stayed coherent and true to Saab’s aesthetic. From feeling like old Hollywood glam from the 1940s, to a lovechild of Saab and Dolce & Gabbana. The adding of necklaces, bows and fringe might seem overwhelming to the already decorated world of couture, but took the looks a step higher. As Saab always creates them, the dresses blends in to one another in terms of color, shape and style. That’s why it’s impossible for me to say some favorites as I’d more or less take them all if I could. Anyways, see the full collection here!

Schiaparelli Spring 2017 Couture Collection

Ever since the beginning of Schiaparelli, the label has had a keen eye for surrealism in the context of fashion. Not necessarily, surrealistic clothes, but clothes that embraces details, patterns and paintings of surrealism. This was unconventional during Elsa Schiaparelli’s days and still possess a feeling of something different and also new. This collection embraced surrealism in a minimalistic and subtle way (especially the first looks). Small details and hints of fun surrealistic artwork. The collection flirts with Alice In Wonderland, with heart shapes, key holes and color combinations of white, red, black and pink. To be noted though is that I just described the first part of the collection (+ some sporadic looks). Not quite sure what happened later with the theme and the beautiful idea of Alice they had going on. Anyways, I love the blue oversized blazer to the red heels and yes to black tuxedo with the red details (see the slideshow). Catch the full collection here!

Givenchy Spring 2017 Couture Collection

Givenchy did what Givenchy does best, finding a balance between gothic, contemporary or romantic. The leading color for the collection is black, with a focus on the texture and details of the clothes. Some dresses are also in white and gingham, though related to the rest of the collection. The silhouette is rather neat with details such as fringe and feathers giving the dresses some volume. There are some touches of Flamenco and the traditional costumes that comes along with the dance. Strong, fierce and passionate (just see below). There’s one dress in specific with a circular pattern that is a gem. Another look that I wouldn’t mind, not at all, is the transparent dress with feathers marking the hemline. Just do it faux and I’d be happy to work it whenever! See full collection here.

Folks! Which one is your favorite of the 2017 Couture Collections? Drop a comment as usual!

Copyright: Givenchy

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Elie Saab Spring 2016 Couture

The Fashion Folks 56 Comments

You know what the world needs after a week like this? To dream and get lost in all things beauty. I wouldn’t run this site and you wouldn’t visit it, if we didn’t share a mutual love for fashion. Folks? Here’s a #fbf to Elie Saab Spring 2016 Couture!

Elie Saab Spring 2016 Couture

So Elie Saab is famous for his glamorous, dramatic and empowering couture looks. They are somewhat an intense version of his RTW creations, but all taking inspiration in the urban modern woman (whatever that means). What they have in common is that they’re classic, feminine and sharp. Elie Saab Spring 2016 Couture is no exception to this, it is sophisticated yet glam. Some looks are perhaps more bohemian than his regular aesthetic, but compromised with heavy embellishment and delicate elements such as lace and tulle.

The collection’s colors are rich and kind of royal, going from silver to gold beige and some touches of blue. Solely floor-length dresses, many with a slightly defined waist. Elie Saab stated that one of the inspirations for the collection was India, which is clear in the choice of embroidery, but also the styling of the fabrics. Except shiny pearls as embellishment, the dresses also featured fringe and 3D floral decorations.

Thoughts on the collection

I wouldn’t highlight this collection if I didn’t think it was a beautiful reflection of how refined fashion can be. Haute couture is and remains a gorgeous art form to be inspired and encouraged by. The collection is really dreamy and somewhere between the glamorous boho looks and the inspiration from India, it’s capturing. Especially the lace looks in a silver/white tone feels both wearable and luxurious. In fact, I think we all want that lace playsuit (see below). And the beige/purple-ish (great way to define a color), with a Renaissance resemblance is a darling of course. Anything with lace, high neck and puffy sleeves and I’m down for it (see slideshow below).

There are some looks that fails to live up to the class of the collection, but they’re not too bothersome as Saab plays it rather safe. He only uses elements that people generally love (lace, embellishment, dove colors) and some looks are more or less different versions of each other. Overall, this is a charming collection that’s definitely droolworthy. And frankly speaking, droolworthy fashion is the light we need at the moment.

Folks? Hope you enjoyed the collection and my not so nuanced highlighting of it. Have a lovely weekend! Xx

Giambattista Valli Fall 2015 Couture

The Fashion Folks 48 Comments

I have no proper reason for today’s post than a genuine love and admiration for the art of couture and some of the magnificent collections that have been made through the years. And as there was no Throwback Thursday last week, there can definitely be a Monday Magic post and a throwback to Giambattista Valli Fall 2015 Couture. Couture is after all more art than trends, so who cares that the collection is “old” (whatever that means). Folks, this is a magic one!

About Giambattista Valli

Long time readers of The Fashion Folks knows about my admiration for Giambattista Valli and the fashion brand’s design aesthetic. It’s embellished, it’s details, it’s volume and it’s pretty pink clouds (kind of).

Giambattista Valli is an italian fashion designer. Having previously worked for Emanuel Ungaro, he founded his own fashion label in his name in 2005. Since then he’s made ready-to-wear clothes, but expanded to include Haute Couture in 2011. I reviewed Giambattista Fall 2016 Couture here.

Giambattista Valli Fall 2015 Couture

The collection begins rather classic with a range of black, pink and white clothes. With floral patterns and embroideries, the collection embraces natural movement and life. This is further emphasized by the frizzy nature of the fringe and tulle. The vibe of the clothes lies between classic and chic. Some silhouettes are more elegant and other styles are sharp and defined. For most part, the collection mixes a classic palette, but some looks do feature green, coral and yellow. As for accessories, the looks are paired with high heels, mosquito sunglasses as well as oversized earrings.

Thoughts on the collection

As I picked this collection in specific to highlight, I’m, of course, ought to be biased. Somewhere between the slight over dimensions, the “more is more” take on classic features and heavy embellishment, I’m convinced. The combination of fringe and tulle with embroidery is genius. Pants with dresses is normally cringe-worthy, but I love it here. The silhouette is what makes the looks working, all thanks to Valli’s feeling for shape, volume and balance. The monochrome green look is an exception to the collection’s aesthetic, but it works perfectly fine. As some of the floral embroidery is placed as growing branches, the sophisticated tone of pink, nature and classic elevates.

There are however some looks that are not perfectly matched (nor balanced) between color, pattern and shape. But they are soon saved by another genius look. The final looks of the show may be a bit disappointing too. Pairing a simple top with heavy tulle skirts (on cost of missing a working silhouette) is not the best idea (see the first pictures of this post). The looks sort of works though, but an even deeper exploration of the typical Giambattista Valli silhouette would have been even better. Overall though, yes please to this collection any day of the week!

Folks, are you also head over heels over the collection? Do you want to join my life of dreaming? Leave a comment below!

Elie Saab Fall 2016 Couture

The Fashion Folks 94 Comments

So we thought that we’d be done with the reviews of the couture collections this time around. BUT (ofc there’s always a but) in celebration of our new design (yaaay) we have to go deep on Elie Saab Fall 2016 Couture.

Behind Elie Saab

The lebanese fashion designer, Elie Saab, showed his fall 2016 couture collection for his label on 6th of July. With an endless love for ultra-femininity, transparent fabrics and all things shimmery Saab has throughout the years stuck to his signature looks. This have lead to his popularity amongst celebrities for red carpet events and fine events. His creations are classic, flattering and almost never wrong which makes them a safe red carpet choice. So with a brand which style is rooted in everyone’s cup of tea (even though it is one of the finer ones), a change and a healthy creative development is never wrong. And the Elie Saab Fall 2016 couture collections was a step in the right direction.

 

Style of the collection

If previous haute couture collections mostly have been dreamy daydreams, this collection was the after party. With dark colors, harsh metallics, a modern Gatsby vibe and some light flirting with the 40’s, the creations felt more adult and bold in the choices. The playing with textures, colors and patterns kept the collection interesting and there were always details to look at. The color range kept to a dove scale even though he used both pink, yellow and blue, which are colors that normally pop. The go-to silhouette for the evening was the defined waist and a wide lower part that enhanced the effect.

Conclusion

Even though it sometimes felt that the collection was a bit all over the place, it still kept its main part to the dark and glamorous theme. We especially adored the use of 3D birds and flowers, which both felt charming, innovative within Saabs frames and very coutureish. The classic silhouette was well respected and when played with it was done surprisingly well. And we wouldn’t say no to the “jumpsuit gone dress”, in fact, we do kind of crave it. Some creations are definitely red carpet safe, others will be forgotten soon and some golden pieces are amongst the top of the couture season. But first and foremost, who would ever say no to a modern Gatsby party with shimmer and fringe deluxe? We know we wouldn’t!

Folks, share your thoughts on the collection in the comments below, a yay or nay and if so why?

Embroidering, beading and printing architectural structure of New York City. #impressionsofNY

A photo posted by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld) on

Bold patterns inspired by a positive modernism in a hymn to old New York #ImpressionsofNY

A photo posted by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld) on

The fast-paced essence meets the opulence of a festive gala. #impressionsofNY

A photo posted by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld) on

Giambattista Valli Fall 2016 Couture

The Fashion Folks 60 Comments

Folks, we know we already did a piece on couture this week and here’s another one (sorry not sorry). But couture is kind of like the Picasso of fashion (or something), and we just adore the artsy, highly thought-through and piece of creation that couture is! The light of today is the Giambattista Valli show!

Details

Giambattista Valli is the fashion house that shares name with its creator and creative director, italian designer Giambattista Valli (b.1966). The fashion brand is one of the official members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture as of 2016. On Monday 4th of July the couture collection for fall 2016 was presented in Paris. The collection consisted of 47 handmade looks including three statement (almost bridal, see below) looks for the finale. As for the front row, one enthusiastic Céline Dion attended and added the star power!

Style

The Giambattista Valli Fall 2016 Couture collection was a somewhat tribute to the history of fashion. The eclectic collection consisted of references from the last 400 years in fashion, with the empire style in focus. The collection’s base was a touch of femininity with floral patterns, tulle, embellishment and some dove colors. From there, Valli played with silhouettes and placement of details. The floral pattern in particular had its resemblance with 19th century wall paper, light base and small sized flowers as a contrast.

Overall Conclusion

The collection held a high standard, and the storytelling of fashion history was made with justice. Only one or two pieces disturbed the coherentness of the collection’s aesthetic, pieces that could easily been replaced with more tulle looks (as we adored them). Valli also stayed true to the previous couture collection, with focus on volume and silhouette done with a touch of subtle femininity. As for the wearable part, the pieces are definitely wearable if you have a really fancy invitation to an exclusive party. By that said, all of us that live for the high street shops can only dream of the pieces. Then again, couture is a reflection of dreamy fashion so we might as well dream along!

Folks, what are your thoughts on the Giambattista Valli Fall 2016 Couture collection?

Giambattista Valli Paris Haute Couture 11

A photo posted by Giambattista Valli Official (@giambattistapr) on

Giambattista Valli Paris Haute Couture 11

A photo posted by Giambattista Valli Official (@giambattistapr) on

Giambattista Valli Paris Haute Couture 11

A photo posted by Giambattista Valli Official (@giambattistapr) on

Giambattista Valli Paris Haute Couture 11

A photo posted by Giambattista Valli Official (@giambattistapr) on

Giambattista Valli Paris Haute Couture 11

A photo posted by Giambattista Valli Official (@giambattistapr) on