The Best of Couture Fashion Week

This past week Paris has showcased yet again a purely luxurious fashion event as the first 2016 bi-annual Couture Fashion Week wowed with glamour. Four days of SS16 inspiration took place from the 24th-28th January and I've picked out the show-stopping pieces to share with you all...

Valentino

The ever-exquisite designs of Valentino were a roaring success as Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli brought together a sensational collection of rich tapestry and velvet fabrics gilded with gold pattern work. Models walked barefoot as their hair was ordained with snake headpieces, whilst the organza maxi skirts added a youthful allure and a modern approach for haute couture.

Elie Saab

Lebanon born designer Elie Saab has your eastern trip away sorted with this luxe collection of embroidered lace and crochet dresses in hues of lavender and grey, whilst remaining true to his infamous aesthetic of floor-length masterpieces. Modern silhouettes were complimented with crystal headpieces and a natural complexion for a classic Springtime look, and the finale showcased a middle-eastern inspired gown fit with a silver bejeweled train for his ever-growing Arab fanbase.

Atelier Versace
Athletic cut-outs and geometic shaping emblazoned the catwalk at Donatella Versace's latest collection for Atelier Versace. Pristine whites and an array of primary colours made up the ‘athletic couture’ display as described by the designer herself, whilst bodycon mini dresses and thigh-high slit skirts were a nod to the classic feminine silhouette. A perfect mix of sporty yet provocative was achieved through cleverly place slits held together with roping, whilst a heavy make-up look and tousled hair toughened up the otherwise sexy collection.

All photos courtesy of vogue.co.uk

Chanel

It wouldn't be a Paris fashion week round-up without Chanel, as Karl Lagerfeld created one of the most talked-about shows of the week transforming the Grand Palais into a serene eco-friendly environment using a wooden house as the focus which opened entirely at the end to reveal the collection in it's entirety. Lagerfeld produced a tonal rainbow of nudes and ink blues as textures and embellishing were the key focus, every skill from feathering, flower appliqué to wooden pleating achieved an innovative avant-garde feel for Chanel whilst classic suits and stunning tailoring was an ode to the classic style Coco Chanel coined. Dresses were finished with fishtail pleating and the 'croissant' hair was the perfect nod to France and this brands history.