a ceremony of chic

The dark, Gothic style of the bridal veils on show at Jean Paul Gaultier reminded me of Tim Burton's 'Corpse Bride' film - there was something eerily alluring about the beautifully crafted, spooky styles which the construction of the film also captures. Not sure if I'll be getting married in any of these dresses in a hurry though - I'd rather opt for a more traditional frothy frock that Elie Saab, Dior and Valentino had to offer this week.

coral couture

Elie Saab's couture offering sent us under the sea to multi-coloured coral reefs, in mermaid dresses embellished to match the beauty of the underwater landscape.

bouchra jarrar on a budget

Want to channel Bouchra Jarrar's looks but can't quite afford the couture prices? Then look no further than...Cambridge University college scarves! 100% wool, they're guaranteed to keep you warm at a fraction of the price of the couture alternative. Nerd points guaranteed.

Look #1: Gonville and Caius chic

Look #2: Stylish St. Edmund's

Look #3: Trendy Trinity Hall

outer verspace

I'm not sure what to make of Versace's return to couture. When I think of couture collections, I think of elaborate, beautiful designs. And while there was intricate embellishment and complex corsetry going on at Versace, it all felt a bit 90s space-age to me, rather than exuding the elegance customary of couture shows. Perhaps I'm a traditionalist, but I'd favour a gorgeous gown over thigh-high boots, exaggerated shoulders and skin-tight styles any day. But then again, Versace herself did say backstage, "I call them my warrior women." Maybe I'm just a weakling.

victoriano valentino

I'm noticing a distinctly historical theme running through this season's couture collections. First there was Chanel's Grecian gals, then came Givenchy's damsel in distress-meets-knight in shining armour Viking styles, followed by Jean Paul Gaultier's foray into Moulin Rouge-style can-can couture, and finishing with Valentino's Victorian blouses and Elizabethan ruffs. Phew.

All the ruffs and frills and frothiness and floatiness, as well as the butterflies, makes me think of a world of clouds, where fairies sit and eat marshmallows and candyfloss all day. Beautiful.

elie saab's flower power

Elie Saab's Spring/Summer 2011 couture collection reminds me of flower beds, country gardens and train journeys through meadows. Spring has sprung.

 

 

Makes me hark back to Thomas Hardy's Wessex countryside in all its BBC period drama glory (from 2:40 or so in):

Excuse the Italian subtitles; couldn't find the original version. I'm sure Petrarch would have approved of all the flattery and flowers and courting at work though.