Couture Kisses

Raf Simons' couture at Christian Dior 2013

It seems all rather fitting that the dreamy Haute Couture collections should fall in the bleak month of January. The ultimate in escapism, Haute Couture is the very definition of fashion as an art form. Meticulous embellishments, luxurious fabrics and artful crafting, each and every piece that makes its way down a couture catwalk is the result of blood, sweat and tears, but is always devastatingly beautiful and captivating. Fantastical at the very least.

I have spent my birthday today (yay!) swooning over these divine gowns from Chanel and Dior, waiting with baited breath for each couture collection that appears on Vogue.com. 

Couture dresses are so magical that they tempt me to track down a Russian business man and marry him with the sole intention of building up a walk-in wardrobe of haute hotness straight from the Paris ateliers. 

I do hope you ain't sayin' i'm a goldigga. 

Stunning images from the Christian Dior Haute Couture show in Paris (images from Catwalking)

The Dior collection was truly breathtaking. The meticulous work of Raf Simons (my favourite man, ever, with the possible exceptions of Eddie Redmayne and Ryan Gosling), this collection is uplifting with shades of yellow and pistachio, but ultimately timeless with nods to heritage touches from the House of Dior. Tres tres chic monsieur.

Fantastical pieces at the Chanel Haute Couture show in Paris (images from Catwalking)

While I was not exactly impressed with the Chanel RTW, the couture has won me back. A fashion fairytale with a touch of the macabre, Karl Lagerfeld's slightly sinister femininity is truly bewitching. The finale dress, as modelled by Cara Delevingne, is a particularly magical masterpiece. Kaiser Karl strikes again. 

Fizzy Fashion

What is the world's most fashionable drink?...

Perhaps it's Champagne or a tall, extra hot, skinny, soy, double shot, no-whip latte? Or maybe it's Kate Moss' favourite Ritz cocktail (find out Kate's poison here), or crystal clear Grey Goose? 

While there is no denying that all these drinks are more than a little bit chic, the fashionable tipple of choice always has been Diet Coke, and always will be!

Calorie free but sweet and fizzy, an ice-cold bottle of Diet Coke is the perfect stylish refreshment. Over the years Diet Coke has sponsored and collaborated with a number of fashionable folk, and it is certainly the best dressed soft drink.

The latest Haute Couture designer to work with Diet Coke is Jean Paul Gaultier who, as this year's Creative Director, has designed three limited edition bottles. The first two, pictured above, are due for release in Harvey Nichols stores nationwide as of April 16th- so not long to wait at all!

The bottles are called "Day", featuring the trademark Gaultier breton stripes, and "Night" which is reminiscent of those sexy Jean Paul Gaultier Madame bottles, with lacy corsetry and fishnet detail. The third design, "Tattoo", is set to be unveiled later this year, alongside a sweet collectors set including a navy and white striped glass. 

As if I needed to feed my addiction to Diet Coke any more! I reckon Gaultier's are even more covetable than Lagerfeld's designs (see them here)

See the television commercial below!

Karl's Cabin Crew.

The Week of Fashion Fantasy

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

Haute Couture is undoubtedly one of the fashion industry's most exciting and fantastical aspects. While RTW is often dreamy and covetable, nothing quite beats the undeniable spectacle of Couture fashion week in Paris. I dream and dream of one day being invited to a couture show (Givenchy, if i'm being picky, but i'll take Chanel...) and mingling with the truly rich and the truly fabulous of fashion's elite. 

Every garment is a product of hours of detailed design and meticulous craftsmanship, and is destined to be worn, or displayed, as an art form. Haute Couture is just the perfect example of how fashion isn't just about skinny girls and clothes, it's so much more than that- it really is art and, ultimately, a form of escapism. 

The first show of note would be Versace. Versace is undeniably back with a bang, tackling the economic gloom full throttle with the classic Versace aesthetic of heavy gold and dazzling jewel tones. Versace H&M increased the youth awareness of the brand, that last saw such exposure in the 1980s, and now it is one of the most coveted brands around. I expect to see the tutti-frutti H&M collection all over the place! This modern lift of Versace, also helped by Christopher Kane's genius input at Versus, has reached it's peak this Couture fashion week with the first Versace Haute Couture collection in eight years- and what a show.

Enjoy!

p.s.

Lindsey Wixson, Marry Me?