The Best Of: Haute Couture Fall 2012

The Best Of:

Haute Couture Fall 2012

Versace Haute Couture Fall 2012

When I first began to think about the Haute Couture collections for Fall 2012, I thought "do I write about each in turn? or do I just group them together and do a sort of, 'Best Of' post?", well as you may have realised by now, I opted for the latter. Pinterest proved itself as my main source for images today (until the day I'm personally invited to the shows! *wink*), as it is quick, easy and has every fashion source available these days - Vogue, Nina Garcia, Harper's Bazaar, WWD etc - all under one tab. Also, I then realised that the Elie Saab show wasn't to be found at Vogue, so I'm glad I opted to use Pinterest in the first place.

The elite few members of the Haute Couture club will have a rather dashing choice of attire this Fall, as the collections from Dior, Elie Saab, Chanel, Iris Van Herpen, Giambattista Valli, Versace, Valentino, Maison Martin Margiela, Jean Paul Gaultier and Givenchy are all beyond fabulous. Ok, so maybe there were one or two collections which I felt didn't really, entice me, shall we say. For me, when it comes to Couture, I want it to look and feel Avante-Garde. Costume-like, if you will. Fair enough, some say that fashion designers should make collections that are wearable and can relate to every day working life, however, with Couture, I see it as more of a 'look and don't touch' scenario. If you want something wearable, go for the RTW and Resort shows. Couture comes from only a handful of select designers. It should be different to anything we've seen from their RTW collections - almost like it should be displayed in a glass cabinet in a museum, or at the very least, worn to some elaborate Venetian masquerade ball.

Anyway, that's enough of my view on Haute Couture. Let's get back to the shows: After looking at each collection in detail, I have come up with my top three. First up we have the gorgeous and colourful collection by Versace. When you think back to Versace's SS'12 Couture collection, you just think "wow" (then start to swoon) so you might think that it could be difficult for Donatella to top what she gave us at the beginning of the year. Well, I didn't think it was possible, but when you look at the Fall collection, you almost start to forget what that SS collection even looked like. For Fall 2012, Versace gives us colour: shades of purple (a huge trend featured in the Fall RTW shows in February), blue, green, pink, yellow. It's a magical array of colour that is bound to help clear away any shadows that Autumn/Winter may bestow upon us. One main feature in the collection - as with many of Versace's recent designs - is the structured corset, with panel detailing that hugs the feminine silhouette in all the right places. It is absolutely beautifully designed, and a treat to lay your eyes upon. The entire Fall collection is beautifully intimidating to look at: actually, the three images below look like a modern day take on the costumes for the three fairies in Sleeping Beauty, don't you think? If I owned a piece of Versace couture, I don't think I would ever take it of!

Next up we have the amazing Jean Paul Gaultier. What can I say about the fall couture collection? Well, for starters, it gave me what I wanted to see in a Couture show: exactly that - a show. It was theatrical, comical and generally amazing. To me, it seemed like a mix of Alice's Through The Looking Glass and 1920's Gatsby/Fitzgerald. I don't know what I enjoyed more, the elaborate collection, or the fact that JPC took his bow with a black and white zigzag turban on. 

Last up is none other than Elie Saab. As you may already know, Mr Saab is my favourite designer. His shows inspired me to pursue a career in fashion and I will always love his collections. For his Fall Couture line though I felt that the collection - although undoubtedly awe-inspiring - gave me a dose of déjà vu. I was looking at the collection images thinking "Did he not do something similar in his AW'12 RTW collection?" Either way, I can't deny that the collection had me in tears over the fact that I may perhaps never own a piece - it is simply stunning as always.

CLICK TO SEE MORE IMAGES FROM THE FALL 2012 COUTURE SHOW!

What are your thoughts on the above Couture shows? Which was your favourite (mentioned or not)?

Best & Worst: Cannes Film Festival

Best & Worst Dressed:

Cannes Film Festival

As you all know, the Cannes Film Festival kicked off this week and what a joy it's been watching that (slightly large) red carpet! The film festival is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year and it does more than exceed our expectations when it comes to fashion and what the stars wear! Twelve days of fashion, celebrities,  awards and a jury panel containing Scottish actor Ewan McGregor and French designer Jean Paul Gautier: what more could you ask for?

As mentioned above, the fashion at said event really is one to watch, so I thought I would put together a short 'best & worst dressed list'. Want to see? Ok, let's start with the best dressed:

1. Eva Longoria: When it comes to events, the Desperate Housewives star really knows how to dress. The Marchesa pale lilac fish tale dress with ruffled tulle train is without a doubt my favourite, however the black lacey number by Alberta Ferretti below, is a close second.

2. Hofit Golan: If this gold, long sleeved embroidered gown had been on anybody else, it might not have looked as nice, however the Israeli socialite managed to pull it off . Then again, I can't decide if the reason I like it so much, is because maybe anything would be nicer than what she wore to the film festival in 2009: a wardrobe malfunction or a publicity stunt - you decide.

Cannes Film Festival 2012

Cannes Film Festival 2009

3. Ewan McGregor: Ok, so maybe I just have a soft spot for the actor seeing as he's Scottish just like myself, but I really did think he looked mighty dapper on the red carpet in Cannes this week. 

4. Jane Fonda: Dressed in a shell pink Atelier Versace gown, how could she not go into the best dressed list? Oh and the fact that she still manages to look sexy and slim at the age of 74? Uh, hello?! She looked fantastic!

Before I delve into the worst dressed, I want to share with you possibly thee best dressed (and attractive) couple at the event: Chris Pine & Dominique Piek. I don't think I have to justify my decision, do you?

Now onto the Worst Dressed List! First up:

1. Jada Pinkett Smith: Normally I'm all in for futuristic looks, however this petrol blue number with statement shoulders just seemed a little out of wack for the film festival in my opinion. Jada has a great figure, but that flat chest just did nothing for the deep V in the gown.

2.  Lara Stone: Being a Calvin Klein poster girl and wife to comedian David Walliams, I might have expected a little more in terms of fashion sense for the model, however this silver CK number does nothing for her. In fact, it looks like it needs a good press ASAP. Nothing else to say other than, I hate it!

3.  Hao Lei: To promote the film Mystery, Chinese actress Hai Lei turned up to the Cannes photocall area in a printed maxi and peep toe ankle boots - A look which I deemed less than impressive. I think I like it, but then my better judgement jumps in with a "No, Maria. Just, no."

There were two other actors present at the Cannes Film Festival who I considered putting in the Worst Dressed list, however in the end I came up with an entirely different category for them: Cannes Most Comical. Actors Sacha Baron Cohen and Bill Murray each turned up in their own little worlds, with Sacha dressed to promote his new film The Dictator and Bill in a colourful, patterned ensemble. The two were hilarious!

What do you think of the fashion at this weeks Cannes Film Festival? Were there any celebrities which you found particularly memorable that I didn't feature? Let me know in the comments below! 

Photo Credit: Images via www.marieclaire.co.uk

Art At The Heart

For many of this week's submissions, art was the center theme. From DIY projects to festivals, museum exhibits and dramatic runway sets - there are so many ways that art manifests itself in the world of fashion, not just in the clothes we wear. We create it, it moves us, it changes our mood and makes our world a more beautiful and magical place. I loved reading posts about the Costume Institute's new exhibit, Chanel's crystal runway set - and even how to make a glitzy pair of Mui Mui-inspired sunnies.
Edited by Taylor Davies

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: MAY 17TH

• A Casa da Va: 10 Ways to Achieve Bohemian Bliss


• Beauty x Pose: Colorblock Your Shoes


• Bleu06: Sh*t Guys Should Know About Fashion #7


• Bugwear: Royal Mail issues Great British Fashion stamps collection


• Crystal Eyes: White Out


• Dress Code: High Fashion:


• Fashionista's Diary: Crazy for Crystals


• Finely Made: DIY Glitter Mui Mui Catwalk Noir Sunglasses


• Fly Songbird: Orange Lips Love


• Get Fierce Style: The Freedom In Loving Your Body


• Meredith & Gwyneth, the new yorkie: DIY No Sew Feather Dress


• Pink Pineapple: Internship Essentials


• Pret-a-Porter Palm Beach: festival fashions


• Real Girl Glam: How To Wear A Denim Jacket


• Spy Girl: Blog Essentials: Designing a Memorable Business Card


• The Curatorial: Duchamp, Pop Art & The Rodnik Band - Art As Fashion


• This is a Yes: Frieze Art Fair New York


• Toronto Shopaholic Blog: 3 Fun Uses For A Multi-Tasking Barette


• Tse Parfait: Anthropologie Summer '12 Fashin Show


• Votre Garcon: Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations

SPONSOR:
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PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Jean Paul Gaultier Does Diet Coke

Yep, that's right. The Paris Fashion Week designer Jean Paul Gaultier has been announced as Creative Director for Diet Coke, taking over from the Creative Director at Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld. This recent collaboration will see the designer take on a number of projects over the coming year which include;

• A limited edition coke bottle named 'Day & Night', inspired by the designers past collections.
• Giving the brand website an overhaul with his famous French flamboyant design and flair.
• The Ad Campaigns - A series of three mini episodes. The first of which can be seen below;

Following the designers love of the female form, his Diet Coke Model will be in the shape of a woman: "It was great fun to dress them" the designer said. "The diet coke motif is so beautiful, I had to design around this. The finishing touch was to apply my logo to the bottle, like applying a fragile stamp - making it something special you want to touch".

The limited edition bottle will be sold in Harvey Nichols stores across the UK as of next month. It will only be available for four weeks though, so if you're wanting to get your paws on one, I suggest you add the date to your calendar.