Paris Haute Coutre week is certainly one of the most fashionably inspiring events of the year, not only does it include the highest craftsmanship in fashion, but it also boasts of several inspiring events of the year. This season, the space-age drama at Fendi and Schiaparelli with a princess on a horse on the runway for Chanel, enjoying a news-stirring body-positive outlook at Valentino became the talk of the town. Here is what you need to know more about the Spring/Summer 2022 Haute Couture.
Chanel
The post-pandemic world is hurtling towards the Roaring ’20s fashion scenario. The 1920s were a lot like the tumultuous period we are facing now. The Chanel show was an unabashed amalgamation of creative output and uninhibited hedonism. The recent runway collections have been bringing forth a lot many optimistic designers who are bringing forth their very own creative ideas.
The Chanel show became a complete scene-stealer because of Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, who rode down the runway on a horse wearing a Chanel jacket made of black tweed and sequins, teamed up with black jodhpurs and tall riding boots. It was one of the best moments of Paris Couture Week and the image left a lasting impression. A plethora of looks followed with the fashion house's signature tweed.
Whether it was feathered sleeves on the dress to trouser legs that were slit till mid-calf to wrap skirts with lace or sequins playing peekaboo. The colors are dreamy and soft, think ethereal whites, pastel pinks, and powdery blues. The dresses were made of gossamer fabrics that were flimsy, shimmering, and flowing,
Dior
Maria Grazia Chiuri’s outing for Dior rendered a powerful message in its simplicity. The collection had all the elements of varied colors such as black, white, grey, and beige celebrating the hard work of the artisans whose work spoke for itself. Intricate embroidery was the central point of the entire decoration. A long ecru cape with embroidery turned out to be a defining moment for the show. Embroidery was on silk organza shirts, tights, and suits, embellishing the garments effortlessly.
Valentino
The Valentino collection is what refined elegance is all about. It has low-slung suiting looks that put forward effortlessness and grandiose in one equal flourish. The vibrant hues in fuchsia pink, cornflower blue, and Valentino red are complete with opera coats and gloves much like couture codes. There is so much more to it than just stellar clothes. The gorgeous collection was called Anatomy of Coutre and it was redefined boldly. The best part of the collection was shown off by women of diverse shapes and sizes.
It managed to shatter many rigid conventions and creations. It promoted a kind of beauty that is not perfect or absolute. A 57-year old supermodel, Kristen McMenamy was shown wearing a mini LBD, that was all about molded necklines, stockings, ruffled hems, and leather gloves. The show managed to lend an air of confidence. adding a new kind of appeal. It was also quite refreshing to see men in a female-dominated phase.
Fendi
Kim Jones introduced drama to the couture week in his first haute couture show for Fendi complete with a live audience. It was Rome that became Jones’ muse this season, that managed to capture the eternity, and spirituality of Rome. It also included namechecking Dune and Star Wars being the key point of the collection. It was an ode to the Eternal City that combined sci-fi romanticism of the ancient and the futuristic.
The dark show suspended fragments of Roman arches that hung below like a planet-like orb, it was the creation of haute couture evoking the powerful image of women. The scene-stealers of the collection were a floor-grazing velvet dress replete with hand-painted statues that you can find right outside the Fendi Palazzo Della Civiltà Italiana headquarters. The accessories were as distinctive as spiky black ear cuffs and knuckle-duster rings complete with crystal geodes and amethyst, put together by Delfina Delettrez, Silvia Venturini Fendi’s daughter who added her sense of space-age glamour.
These collections remind us that fashion can be beautiful, glamorous, and futuristic while offering us a beacon of hope in uncertain times. It offers a lot to look forward to in the future. Just when everything looks dull and gloomy, it is fashion that helps wade through trying times.