Fall 2010: Haute Couture

This blog is a great way to get word out about our fabulous little boutique and our amazing selection of incredible shoes. It's also a great way to educate our customers about fashion, beauty and how to be the best possible version of yourself at all times.

Most have heard the term "haute couture", many wonder what it means, and most have no idea! Haute Couture is French for "high sewing". It is an ancient term that was used to describe the work of the greatest French and Italian tailors and couturiers.

Today, haute couture is usually seen only on the runway and will be a collection of garments that are one of a kind. Most of them are hand drafted, hand draped, hand beaded and hand sewn. These masterpieces are reserved for the elite of the world-royalty, billionaires, heiresses and celebrities may get to borrow something for an evening on the red carpet. Haute couture shows are usually presented before ready to wear for a season and are meant to provide inspiration and hint on the upcoming trends. Very few designers continue to produce haute couture due to budget restraints, but the great design houses like Chanel and Christian Dior are always seasonal staples.

So now that you know a little more about haute couture, here are some of Fall 2010's Haute Couture looks! Because of the bizarre nature of couture shows, I thought this would be a great little prequel to Halloween!

Stéphane Rolland

These evening gowns are truly works of art! I really hope to see one of them on a red carpet somewhere soon. I am IN LOVE with the bedazzled tights! These are fabulous! I really hope they make it to Ready to Wear! It's also looking like the 'leg-o-mutton' sleeve is making a comeback. Plenty more of that to come from Chanel.

Chanel

I love these little short boots so much! They are so unique and custom made to match each outfit. I also love how they mimic the classic Chanel flat with the patent leather toe. We are seeing more leg-o-mutton sleeves, lots of fur trim, lace and plenty of jewels. Check out the bracelets, too. They are incredible! I'm in love! Way to go Karl Lagerfeld!

Christian Dior




Dior's show was full of color and had a strong floral theme. The hair is ridiculous! How do they even do that?

Elie Saab




Elie Saab is incredible and so elegant! We will definitely be seeing some of these again on the red carpet. Just gorgeous!

GIORGIO ARMANI PRIVÉ

Armani Prive is responsible for a lot of Lady Gaga custom outfits and for Jennifer Lopez's Oscar dress, but this couture collection is much more subdued and classic. I love the little half gloves, the oversized buttons and the unique collars. So chic!

Jean Paul Gaultier

Once again, we have crazy hair plastered into all sorts of shapes! I love the 1920s vibe he has going on with the turbans and updated flapper styles. I also love the red tights; they really make a bold statement. The most interesting detail, though, is the pockets on the last dress. If you look closely, you will see that they close like an old-fashioned coin purse. So unique! This is what couture is all about.

Maison Martin Margiela

This designer really pulls in the shock factor that a lot of couture is know for. We thought it was interestly relavent with the thigh high boots and the cowboy boot body suit. It may be rodeo meets Evil Knievel, but it's couture, so it's okay. Right?

On Aura Tout Vu

On Aura Tout Vu translates to "there will be all considering" and that is definitely the case! These designs are bizarre and whimsical. Things I love about this collection: 1. The clusters of jewels at the end of the sleeve on the purple suit. 2. The fish shaped purse/clutch/glove in the second picture-I'm not sure what it is, but it's so interesting. 3. The dress that imitates fish scales with the clutch that looks like it's wearing a mask and the crazy sunglasses in the third picture. 4. This one pretty much speaks for itself! 5. The collar necklace with the sapphire lace that fades into fur. Wow! 6. I'm so happy to see bedazzled tights again, and I think this is a dress that every little girl would only dream of wearing. So fun!

Valentino

Valentino definitely had a bow and mesh/chiffon theme going on. I love the black gloves with the huge bow and the simplicity of black and white.

If this post got you curious about couture, follow this link to see more of these collections and the others not featured here. I hope you have learned something new about Haute Couture and enjoyed looking at the pictures.