Haute couture shows: highlights from day 3
Chanel
After transforming the Grand Palais into a theater in ruins last season, Karl Lagerfeld opted for a pristine, luminous white decor for the presentation of this latest Chanel collection. In spiky hairstyles, models walked the runway wearing refined ensembles with perfectly matching embroidered sneakers. The collection showed us a sportier side of couture, seen not only in the sneakers but in a few other original details, such as knee pads and elbow pads, also coordinated to match the rest of the outfits. The couturier highlighted slim, sometimes corseted waists and a palette of powder pink, white and pale violet.
Stéphane Rolland
The French designer aimed to challenge the limits of space through his Spring-Summer 2014 haute couture show, which took place at the Théâtre National de Chaillot. The models donned asymmetrical, sculptural and minimalist outfits in white, off-white and a range of daffodil yellows. The impressive pièce de résistance of the collection, a wedding dress, was a voluminous and extremely bright orange gown that transformed the model into a butterfly-woman.
Bouchra Jarrar
The label, which just received the “haute couture” appellation last December, stood out from the crowd by opting for the sophistication of pants, with an emphasis on uniform pants and tuxedo pants. Several outfits were adorned with feathers, whose colors did not fail to impress those in attendance. Elegant materials such as English flannel, patent leather, raw leather and suede further added to the element of refinement. Of around 20 looks, only three dark-colored dresses were presented for the summer season.
Alexandre Vauthier
As usual, the French designer went all out, presenting looks with bold tailoring and colors. Consisting mainly of dresses — long or very short — the collection featured mainly monochromatic looks (in black or bright colors), and pieces that seemed to have been sculpted. Volume and couture details were also in the mix, like the extremely low-cut necklines observed on several runways this season.
