Good almost afternoon, Wednesday. It's sunny and cold, cold, cold here in the city and despite what other people seem to be going on and on about, I'm happy the snow was just the right amount to allow people to spend time at home and enjoy a snow day. For those of you who work in advertising, you're well aware there's no such thing but at least you got to take those ten conference calls in your pajamas, right?
Pajamas aside, this past week in Paris it was all about the couture shows. Ah, couture. I associate couture with wives of the Russian oligarchy, Saudi princesses, and Deeda Blair. Other than that, who is really wearing couture?
But the woman in me who loves fashion as fantasy knows that the incredible craftsmanship and skill that goes into each couture confection makes it the most amazing art form- and there were two shows that took things to a new level for me when it comes to clothes I will most likely never own, but can surely dream about. So it was with great glee I checked out the view from Paris while I sat in snowy Brooklyn, in anything but couture. And two names- Dior and Valli.
OMG.
The Valli show, as in Giambattista Valli, swept me up in a beautiful world where pants are worn under dresses. I have always been a huge fan of that silhouette since I first spotted it years ago on all the girls in Amsterdam who wore pants under their skirts so they could freely bike the canals. But when it comes to couture, this look is all about silhouette- I love love love how the pants serve as an almost foundation garment for the most magical skirts and dresses. And on the subject of more skirted and dressed looks, there were many here that put me in a very girly mood. That pink. THAT PINK.
What a romantic and feminine collection this was- and the whole pants for formalwear thing is just so up my alley right now, and I feel like I could replicate this look if I was smart about it, without having to be married to a Russian zillionaire. So beautiful. Those pink dresses would be gorgeous on a bride, ps. Love.
This pant situation above is everything. I want to get married in this all over again...
I love love love this raincoat. Fabulous.
Love the ease of this very ornate dress- Simons has a really spiritual approach to design- the easy with the complicated. Love it.
And then there was the Dior show, which seems to have garnered the most buzz of the week. Raf Simons is a genius. That's all. And although some of the more "groovy" silhouettes felt a little too derivative for me, those dresses at that show. And those plastic raincoats. So fresh. I love the short dresses and the more full skirted variety- I have a feeling we're moving to something more feminine in fashion as a reaction to all of these years of austerity- I'm ready for a change, aren't you? And how about that silver striped jumpsuit? I need that to be my uniform. For when I retire to outer space and hang with the spiders from Mars.
It could happen.
And though the couture may be out of reach for us mere mortals just trying to enjoy a snow day once in a while, it's so much fun to look at these gorgeous garments and revel in their genius. I feel uplifted, and for a moment, I was no longer on my sofa in Cobble Hill- I was on a whole other trajectory- one where full skirts, feminine shapes, and lush fabric have the ability to take us on an adventure somewhere far, far away.
Just wanted to share some of this beauty with you- Versace also had a standout show that felt like Tom Ford at Gucci, and the Armani show's Eastern influence was sublime.
Oh and see these dresses? All fresh off the Valentino couture runway. I guaranteed at least one of these looks will find their way to the red carpet come Oscar night. I'd love to see the gold one, just because, though they are all outstanding and that navy one is next level. And we know red is trending big time, and nobody does red like Valentino, but you already knew that. And that yellow dress has Lupita written all over it.
And while we're talking Oscars, celebrity favorite Elie Saab did not disappoint for those looking to get best dressed. There were so many standouts it was hard to focus, but since I am a feather fan, I will say that these feather trimmed frocks are just beyond gorgeous. Of course I'm obsessed with the two pants looks above (duh), but the dresses below could win an Oscar on their own. Amazing. That black sheer jumpsuit pants feather jacket situation. I can't even.
Check out all the shows on style.com. I was so amazed by these beautiful looks- hopefully they will trickle down to those of us firmly entrenched in serfdom. And that's what's up this well dressed Wednesday in the 212. Yours, in couture. XO