Contemplating Couture – Spring 2007 highlights

Over the past week we have seen some of the most exceptional designers of our generation allow their creative imaginations to run wild in honour of the very privileged few that can afford to spend on them – yes, it’s been Paris couture week, the most glamorous of them all, and I’ve had the lucky task of rounding up our favourite moments and creations for you. Our top three shows were Christian Dior, Armani Prive and Christian Lacroix, and here’s why:

John Galliano for Christian Dior took a trip to 1920s Kyoto with a parade of red-lipped geishas gliding along in towering platform wedges and impossibly figure hugging skirts. The overall look was almost painterly with shades of cherry-blossom pink, oriental jade and a black that could have come directly from an ink pot , feminine and unashamedly sexy.

Armani Prive, who showed on Wednesday evening, definitely won the award for the starriest front row , but even the arrivals of Katie Holmes and Cate Blanchett couldn’t steal the limelight from the show itself, which, like every drama queen, was an hour later than scheduled. In typical Armani style, the collection was understated and elegant with models shimmering down the runway in pearly creamy greige creations embellished with intricate Indian-inspired jewels and sari-esque drapes.

Christian Lacroix has a deep love of carnations which filters into everything he does , this show was no exception with the appropriately flamboyant floral ruffles taking centre stage in myriad colours. It is difficult to attribute a theme to this body of work (Lacroix used flowers as an inspiration), but each look must have left the audience breathless for more, especially the unforgettable gold brocade coat-dress with it’s carnation firmly in place in the centre of the torso. Lacroix is the only man who could use that fabric with such a huge floral decoration and make it work , truly an artist!

[Images:Vogue]