Givenchy A/W Couture Paris 2012

Ricardo Tisci’s work at Givenchy at couture level is always something to behold. These were insanely strong looking women, cloaked in mystique. They were goddesses of war, angels of death, priestesses of dark arts, sirens of allure, and all with intricate leather trimmings, beaded fringes and thousands of sequins on the inside of their capes.  I like the way he presents the looks: the obvious stillness gives his pieces a museum quality that suggests you are looking at something truly extrodinary.

Source: Style.com

Chanel A/W Couture Paris 2012

Maybe I should be asking for the dressmakers to receive a standing ovation for the work that went into the extraordinary quality of the construction and the detailing of this show, because it’s sometimes difficult to appreciate from the pictures the work they do with silver thread, embroidering onto tulle, applying tiny strips of silk or miniature pearls.  Under the umbrella of ‘New Vintage’, Lagerfeld produced a show that managed to be both unoriginal and incoherent, being neither evocative of the past or exciting about the future. The first three pictures below illustrate the lows of this Chanel collection; the first, the pink and blue sequined tie-dye pyjama look, is for me one of the worst in show. I don’t understand what it is or what it’s supposed to be or who it’s for? Will the Russian and Chinese millionares buy this? More importantly, and in a more high fashion sense, would Daphne Guinness ever been seen in it….I think not! Things got a bit better towards the end of the show, with the full length dresses definitely providing an up beat, with some nice shapes and soft dreamy colours. I would still suggest you go through the whole collection: there are some true shockers and even the most elegant and slim of models here seem lumpen in looks that have too much bulk, too many horizontals and misplaced frills. Chanel shows often have this effect on me, mainly a disappointment in rarely meeting the hype.

Source: Style.com