Haute Couture FW07 II

Givenchy
Kudos to Riccardo Tisci for a fabulous haute couture collection. It only gets better every season. This collection was modern and stylish, with just the right amount of details to make it haute couture. Hm.... I think I said something similar last time about Tisci's haute couture collection too.....it must be his style.
I was captivated by this collection from the very first outfit (left), with the exquisitely beautiful jacket with the very feminine flutters and the furry poofy skirt- stylish, girly and fun! And then he takes us to stylishly cool, with that stunning (alligator I think) jacket with white fur peeking out.

This grey shirt kind of makes me rethink my position on frills- it actually looks nice here! And outfit on the left- thats just classic.

Tisci's evening collection was just goooooorgeous. I love all the drapings of the fabric and how the dresses manage the models to look elegant and gorgeous without showing much skin at all (as most evening wear are). Sigh, I just ADORE the white dress with the structured top and swirl with the flowy skirts!
One thing I didn't like about this collection was the leopard print bit and the more casual bits that one expects to see in the RTW collection.

Chanel

While I love the idea of how the Chanel Haute Couture show was held outdoors on a garden pathway at the Parc de Saint Cloud (you should check out the video for more on the whole backdrop) I have mix feelings about the collection. At some points, I want to applaud Lagerfeld's genius and at others, I wonder what he's thinking.

The whole collection focused on detailings on the side seams of the outfits, which is probably why the outfits look so flat on picture. But I do like the idea of putting the details elsewhere and I can see how outfits like these two here would look exquisite in reality. Note also how the thigh high boots from last season remains prominent on the runway.
Maybe its the head thingy that is distracting my vision, but these two outfits just don't look very flattering. Although the one on the left is certainly water proof...These are the times when I'm wonder what he's thinking, and that maybe its just me whose being too conservative and not fashion forward thinking enough to see beyond the obvious.
And these are the times when I want to give him a standing ovation, because I just LOVE these two dresses. I can just imagine how the black dress will flow so beautifully in three dimension as the wearer walks and turn. And the white dress is just glamorous!
Again, love the elegant navy blue dress and wondering what is going on with the mesh materials and the feathers.
I can actually imagine some starlet wearing this dress on the left on the red carpet. Without the head thingy, it'll look gorgeous. But that white feathered wedding dress is just beyond me. I can't imagine anyone wearing it willingly to their wedding... even if it IS Chanel!

Photo Credits: www.elle.com

Haute Couture FW07 I

It's the week of the tres grand and fabulous again! Ever since reading The Beautiful Fall, I now really see take haute couture a bit more seriously, although I still think it a bit as a historical art form.

Christian Dior

60th Anniversary! It sounds like we're always throwing events like anniversaries more as pr events than actual meaningful events, but this is Christian Dior. A lot of super/ big models walked for the show, including Gisele, Linda, Helena, Raquel etc. And this is probably one of those shows which looking at the photos (like we are now) is very different from actually being there. The show was held in Versailles -can you imagine how amazing and wonderland feel the show must have been?

Think back to the New Look, one of the looks that revolutionised fashion. OK, the outfit Gisele has on isn't exactly the same as the New Look... And I really like the pink swirl in the middle of the dress. Unlike the typical rose (which lots of other designers like putting in the middle of their dresses,) this swirl is like a blob of paint on a painter's palette.

These two dresses are so glam, etheral and pretty without being overly puffy or exagerated.

I love the outfit Irina's wearing on the right. It's just so pretty and haute-casual (if that makes any sense.)

Dior's super grand dresses.

And even more. I think these dresses are so amazing (think of all the work put into one dress,) but somehow these huge dresses don't seem to connect together as they usually do. Maybe the variety was too large?

These two dresses-fierce!

The dress Lily Cole has on here is probably the one that really caught my eye. I don't know if it's the dress or the shimmery purple eye makeup Lily has on, or the way the different shades of purple seem to create contrast at the perfect areas, but the whole image is just SO captivating. Loves this image!

And if you still can't get the message, the collection was influenced by various painters. OK, I have to admit, I don't think this show was perfect. To me, the SS07 show and collection seemed more perfect and amazing. But still, happy anniversary to Dior!

Ann Valerie Hash

The clothes seem casual and trend-influenced, but it's still worth taking a look at them. The message? White, black and bold colours all the way!

Photo credit: www.style.com

Crocs

Lately walking on the streets, I've seen an uncomfortable amount of people wearing these:

Yes, by "these," I mean Crocs. There is even a whole colorful store in the best shopping district in Hong Kong devoted to the distribution of these Crocs.
I know that Bush has been seen sporting these recently, but he's hardly the icon of fashion and trends now. So WHY would the general population be seen in public wearing these, when they are not boating or doing outdoorsy things as they were originally designed for? They are certainly not flattering no matter what angle you're looking from.

But according to the Crocs site, these are the reasons why:

1. Really soft, super comfortable, molds to your feet: well people are certainly not wearing them because they look good


2. Barely there, weighing only 6 ounces: flip flops are barely there either...


3. Vented so air passes through, keeping feet cool: again, so are flip flops


4. Non-marking slip-resistant soles: a valid point


5. Bacteria and odor resistant: thats certainly a plus seeing as how it looks plastic


6. Ultra-hip Italian styling: It may possibly be Italian styling, but ultra hip?


7. Port holes allow water and sand to pass through: and thats a good point because?


8. Can be sterilized in water and bleach: well if it allows water and sand through, it'll obviously allow water and bleach through.....


9. Easy maintenance, just wipe clean: it does look plastic...


10. Orthotic molded foot bed for ultimate comfort and support: Is this the same as #1?

Basically, comfort, support and practicality are their selling points. So unless you are boating and doing outdoorsy things in which case these shoes may be practical, please, do NOT wear them around in public. There are just as comfortable and more easy on the eye options out there, like flats, sneakers, flip flops and *gasp* (even) birkenstocks!

Photo Credits: Crocs