COUTURE REPORT: PARIS FASHION WEEK


Of the Big Six of French Fashion Royalty, asked whom I think is the finest fashion house in Paris I'd say unequivocally the House of Dior is and always has been the pinnacle. Check out some of the imagination and technique on this season's creations. For me it's like looking at pure art. Oddly, Dior only ran his baby for ten years from 1947 till his death in 1957. After that it was the legacy of a succession of in-house designers interpreting a unique dialect of fashion Dior left behind.

Dior

Dior
Dior
Dior
Dior
Dior

Dior


Pure Valentino!
Valentino

Valentino

Valentino
Givenchy

Givenchy
Givenchy concentrated on Grecian-inspired and flowing relaxed silhouettes this season.
Givenchy

Givenchy


Jean Paul Gaultier

Gaultier

For me Gaultier's work is so solid in technique his whimsy seems more innovation. The level of his style is what Betsey Johnson might have reached had she been born and apprenticed among the French design elite and honed the wildchild in her.
Gaultier

Chanel

Chanel
It's almost as if Mademoiselle herself were looking down upon her empire to this very day.
Chanel

Chanel

Chanel


Larcroix

Lacroix

This bridal veil is magnificent sporting a bowl of fruit under layers of white tulle.

STALKING THE LOOKBOOKS

When I first caught glimpse of Long Beach designer Joan Shum's breathtaking designs awhile back I was stunned. How often do you find this kind of ground-breaking work outside the runways of Europe? Then wedding photographer Stephanie Williams paired up with Joan to do this photo session. Together photographer and designer create an exquisite visual chemistry. Brides fortunate enough to live in the LA area can visit Joan's studio and have a consultation with Stephanie.

Stephanie Williams


I might add, these headpieces by Batcakes--also in the So Cal area-- are gorgeous, each a work of art. You can see more photos of this beautiful session up close on Stephanie's Blog.