Special Report from Paris Haute Couture SS 2015 Fashion Week

Fashion has a unique way of cheering us up. And what with the bleak, cold climes of January and February the Paris’ Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2015 Fashion Week was the perfect answer to lift up mood and spirit. And even as it attracted those who came to see and be seen, the week gave fashionistas and fashion lovers ideas galore to glam up… 

The last week of January provided an array of fantastical haute couture pieces from French names and from far-flung design houses of the Netherlands (Viktor & Rolf), Lebanon (Zuhair Murad), Italy (Valentino), and more. To tempt you, we capture the essence of just three exciting collections by fashion’s top names…

Each woman is a work of art, or so seemed to be Atelier Versace’s message. And one can never expect anything less with a tour de force such as the house’s chief designer Donatell Versace. As one of the first shows to debut its line, Versace caught everyone’s imagination with its strong use of primary colours like red and blue in addition to white, black and beige with dramatic cut-outs and embroidery. (Recall at this point the sensual creation Kate Hudson chose for her red carpet walk at the Golden Globes earlier this year). And though the collection does result in plenty of skin show, it is all tastefully done. For adorned in the dresses, each model flaunted a modern art portrait as she sashayed down the runway. And of course, there were plenty of one-shoulder pieces with the show’s focus being big-belted, floor-length gowns. Many of the bodice’s recalled those seen during the Olympic ice skating rounds.

Classic house Dior’s Raf Simons constructs a 1960s vision of the 21st century, presenting an intriguing mix of past and present, where nostalgic touches met futuristic vibes. It featured transparent plastic rain macs which gave a sci-fi vibe, but cut with a retro, swingy line and demure bracelet-length sleeves. Sheer overlays, orange tights, sequined trousers, rainbow A-line skirts, and dresses with a large green dot in the center were some of the pieces praised by fashion critics. Wearing ultra-miniskirts, transparent printed plastic capes and tattoo body suits, models strutted to David Bowie's 1972 Ziggy Stardust album.

“Periods of time are conflated,” Simons explained of the collection. He berated himself for having previously been guilty of “always thinking of the future … I was always anti-romanticising the past. But the past can be beautiful too. There is a sense of the romance of the 50s, with the experimentation of the 60s and the liberation of the 70s in the collection.”

It included impressive patent leather thigh high-boots with an empty rectangle shape of a heel with glittering crystals on the bottom. Bold colors, crystal beading embellishments, lace and plastic blended to create a unique and highly structured mini dress. And a flower-printed plastic rain coats, which finished off many of the looks.

Designed to set your heart aflutter is the-loveliest-of-them-all creation from Valentin Yudashkin. The collection is inspired by the famous Parisian Tuileries garden, and is a pastel paradise of hues and prints where delicate blooms on short corolla skirts skirts, tops and gowns bring alive the magic of your secret dream garden while flowing tulle skirts with sequins and precious embroideries recall the silhouettes of gates and plant nurseries. The selected one-shoulder design lovingly wraps itself around the wearer and features long stalks criss-crossing their way, laden with their floral merchandise, while the lower sheer essence of the dress falls away below. Sublime…