Valentino
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli's Autumn 2011 couture collection for Valentino can only be described as coming out of a fairy tale, something a princess would have worn. There is a certain amount of low-key regality that can be seen through the fragile and delicate gilded lace, the heavy silk velvet, and the thin tiaras that look like they were made of twigs. Key reference to all 41 pieces is the Russian aristocracy that fled to Paris after the Russian revolution and brought with it its rich culture. The long-sleeved gowns arrayed with beads and crystals in nude and champagne colours will make quiet a few hearts flutter, if they haven't already that is. (Headline photo: Jean Paul Gaultier: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com)
(Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com)
(Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com)
Jean Paul Gaultier
Jean Paul Gaultier's couture peaces compete in a league of their own this season with their heavy, and luxurius materials. Multicolored marabou, cockerel feathers, pheasant plumes, leather, paillettes, fur, fur, fur and even more fur were part of the outfits. This could be attributed to Gaultier's inspiration stemming from The Black Swan movie, that also helped reveal the designer's darker side. Of course, the rock touches were as always present, whether in a biker jacket filled with sequins, the designer's trademark corset-turned-dress in a peachy hue, or the trench coats that were translated into jersey evening gowns. Even the boys had a part in this "play" with capes, sequined shirts and trousers, and feather-lined coats that only the brave might try to wear. 
(Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com)
(Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com)
(Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com)
Elie Saab
Elie Saab's muse for his couture Autumn 2011 collection must have been a fairytale Ice Queen. All dresses were in the hues of nude, blush, white, ice-blue, and midnight blue. Pailletes and thousands of crystals covered each piece's skirt, sleeves and cape wings, making all 41 dresses (except from the final one which was a bridal) capable of stealing the spotlight at red carpet events. Some of the show-stopping gowns had even embroidered flowers at the height of the waist, making them even more ethereal and innocent. Wonder which celebrity will wear which dress, as there is no escaping there beauty.
(Reuters: Gonzalo Fuentes)
(Reuters: Gonzalo Fuentes)
For those of you who are interested in Haute Couture and want to know what lies beneath, there is an amazing documentary called The Secret World of Haute Couture (2007) by BBC. You can find it on youtube.com, but the video resolution is very poor.
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