By Randy Miller

Viktor & Rolf‘s highly anticipated return to Haute Couture was less of a show than an experience – though much less couldn’t be expected of a collection that was halfway purchased before it even hit the runway.

In true dramatic fashion, the design duo staged a performance of sorts with an all-black collection that played on volume and movement. Letting the fabrics’ cuts and seams do the heavy lifting, the styles ranged from easy-to-wear (by couture standards) shirtdresses to a full-length puffer coat, which may not keep you warm but would definitely make you haute. The varying silhouettes showed a range from day to evening, think: a collared sheath that defined easy elegance and a caped column destined to end up on the red carpet – that is, unless it was among the looks already purchased!

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Justin Fenner

Nicole Kidman wasn’t nominated for an Oscar at the 1997 Academy Awards, but she made fashion history with the chartreuse dress she wore on the red carpet that year. Her Christian Dior Couture gown, a floor-length sheath dress embroidered with stylized flowers and trimmed with fur, was from John Galliano‘s very first couture collection for the house, and its unabashed extravagance was just a first taste of the kinds of fashion he would design in his tenure there. It was also one of the first instances of truly modern couture appearing on the red carpet.

Couturiers have always had a special relationship with celebrities who need jaw-dropping dresses to wear for particularly glamorous events. But now more than ever, couture has become the gold standard for women who have to look elegant and fashionable in front of the flashbulbs. A look at our favorite couture moments in recent memory, here in the gallery.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Melissa Liebling-Goldberg

Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2013 is all in the details, quite literally. With pieces that required upwards of 800 hours of handwork, this curiosity cabinet-inspired collection lends itself to a closer look. References ranged from coral branches to early Renaissance Madonnas as Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Picciolo brought uniquely Italian touches to the house’s presentation. Gold overlaid lace and coral-embroidered gowns played off deceptively simple pieces like a camel dress-and-coat set and a rich red satin dress.

The dominant shape for day is a boldly rounded dolman shoulder over a narrower A-line body – cool enough for the It girls in the front row, but wearable enough for the more mature couture purchaser. And will Valentino’s Hollywood fan base find dresses for every event? Yes, yes, and we have some suggestions if any one needs help narrowing it down.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Randy Miller

Couldn’t make it to Couture? You didn’t have to be seated in the front row to keep up with the latest in haute style! This week, our favorite fashion insiders were reporting live from their phones. Sharing Instagrams from behind the scenes of coveted collections like Chanel Haute Couture, Atelier Versace, and Dior Haute Couture (just to name a few!), these snappers kept us in the know and up on all the buzz. Click through to see this week’s best shots.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Jen Michalski

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Leah Melby

While we love pouring over all the runway looks from Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, we frequently find ourselves quieting a voyeur’s urge to see just a little bit more or just a little bit closer. To satisfy ourselves, we scooped out the best shots from behind and most captivating close-ups that allow you to see the handcrafted details that go into making something couture.

See our favorite shots – and, of course, Pin away!

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Justin Fenner

They say you never really want to know how the sausage gets made, but that adage probably wasn’t intended for high-fashion images. In fact, the behind-the-scenes videos from some of Fall 2013’s best ad campaigns are almost as beautiful as looking at the finished images. From Mulberry’s owl-filled imagery to the nonmodels in Prada‘s men’s campaign, these short clips are definitely worth a look. …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Robert Khederian

Couture Fashion Week isn’t just about aspirational clothing. Last night, at the Hotel Potocki in Paris, Bulgari unveiled its latest collection of fine jewelry: Diva.

Bradley Cooper, Milla Jovovich, Alexa Chung, Liu Wen, and Pace Wu were all in attendance to fete the line of gems, which draws inspiration from the most glamorous celebrities of the 1950s and ’60s, but the evening’s centerpiece was arguably Carla Bruni, who the brand has tapped to front the collection’s ad campaign.

“She is an independent, very cultivated woman who is an artist in her own right, and on top of that, she is Italian,” Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin said of Bruni, who was wearing the Forever Glamour necklace that features a 43-carat sapphire. A look at the party’s guests – and the collection – here in the gallery.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Robert Khederian

• Malaika Firth stuns in Prada’s Fall 2013 ad campaign – The Cut
• Elle Macpherson re-creates iconic Playboy cover for Harper’s Bazaar – Fashionista
• What it’s like to be assistant fashion director of Barneys – Teen Vogue
• The most memorable moments from Paris’s men’s shows – BuzzFeed
• Selfridges gets tagged by Louis Vuitton – Styleite
• Former Tiffany’s employee was arrested for theft – The Daily Beast
• Julianne Moore to star in Reed Krakoff campaign – WWD
• Get Cher’s closet from Clueless on your iPhone – App Store
• Zaha Hadid tries her hand at designing shoes – Telegraph

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Randy Miller

It’s not every day you can say you’ve had a supermodel to your place, but beginning Sept. 25, you can bring home Kate Moss – if the price is right. Christie’s announced an upcoming sale of iconic images curated by collector Gert Elfering, which will include a mix of mediums including photographs, paintings, and sculptures.

On the topic of Moss, who Elfering dubbed “a living icon,” the collector added: “Kate is the ultimate modern muse, and we will be seeing her images in major museums and private collections for years to come.”

If you can’t afford to place a bid, the lot will be on display to the public at Christie’s in London Sept. 21 to 24. With offerings from artists like Nick Knight, Juergen Teller, and Mario Testino, we imagine getting in to view the exhibit might be as challenging as it’d be to see Moss herself!

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Melissa Liebling-Goldberg

Jean Paul Gaultier took a turn for the wild side with his Fall 2013 Haute Couture collection. With models’ hair twisted sky-high and painted with leopard spots, animal prints along with sculpted volume were the themes of the season. The overall effect had more than a nod and a wink to the ’80s with Mugler-esque quilting on jackets, oversized shoulders that would look at home on Grace Jones, and patterned tights with every look.

Standouts include a cobalt leather dress with a wide belt and exaggerated hips and a frothy bridal trouser suit on Liu Wen. But it wouldn’t be JPG without a little controversy as his show closer was France’s answer to Kim Kardashian, reality star Nabilla. Click through to see the full collection.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Justin Fenner

Elie Saab can always be relied upon for drama, glamour, and sparkle. His Fall 2013 Couture collection included heavy dosages of all three, with an array of full-length gowns in emerald green, navy blue, a deep red, silver, and cream. While this house’s past few collections have been praised for their commitment to dresses that are lighter than air, some of the fabrics here had a weightier feel to them – not that these dresses will be any less covetable or more difficult to wear.

Our full review will be posted shortly. In the meantime, please enjoy a first look at the collection.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Randy Miller

The only thing not surprising about couture is that there will be plenty of surprises. Each season, the Haute Couture elite send their most intricate work down the runway, but among the lace and beaded beauties, there’s always a shocker (or two). While we prepare to take in all the wondrous sights of the latest Paris collections (which kicked off last night with Atelier Versace) we’re looking back at some moments that we’ll never forget, like Maison Martin Margiela‘s jeweled face masks and Giambattista Valli‘s butterfly net headgear. See all the looks in the gallery!

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Randy Miller

Maison Martin Margiela Haute Couture Fall 2013

Review coming soon.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Randy Miller

What happens when two of fashion’s elite sit down for a chat? The answer is a revealing Q&A between Tory Burch and Christian Lacroix just posted on The Tory Blog. Delving into the Schiaparelli Haute Couture designer’s childhood, fashion mantras, and inspirations, Burch gave us nearly as much to think about as did Lacroix’s Fall 2013 couture collection.

Some highlights include the guiding motto behind Lacroix’s latest collection: “No caricature but couture, no reconstruction but evocation, no copy but allure.” And speaking of evocation, Lacroix recalls his first fashion memory: “The tulle petticoats of my mother’s friends I used to play under when they were chatting and I was a little child.”

Find out what the couturier’s impossible conversation would sound like and read the rest of the interview on toryburch.com.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Jen Michalski

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Randy Miller

“Head-to-toe” takes specifically strong meaning when referring to couture. And there’s no skimping on style when these hats, bags, and heels hit the runway. From Schiaparelli‘s furry toppers to Dior‘s crisscross satin stilts and Armani Privé’s plumed evening bags, these ornate extras are anything but afterthoughts at the couture shows.

And just as there is a wide range of colors, fabrics, and textures in the clothing, the accessories show a vast variety. While the edgier woman might be drawn to Iris van Herpen’s tangled platform booties, ladylike dressers would lean toward the delicate jeweled minaudières Armani Privé used to add sparkle to the collection. See the best of the Fall 2013 Haute Couture accessories here in the gallery.

– Additional reporting by Jennifer Michalski

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Robert Khederian

If there’s one thing Erdem is known for, it’s his penchant for florals. That’s why whenever his designs become even slightly more obtainable, we can’t wait to be first in line.

The Outnet has just launched an Erdem boutique featuring some pieces from its Fall 2012 line, with many of the garments patterned in bold florals. Among the pieces on offer? A white sundress adorned with purple and pink blooms, a pair of shorts perfect for those balmy Summer days, and a trenchcoat whose painterly flowers inspire notions of abstract expressionism. And the best part? The prices are slashed up to 65 percent. Look for the collection online, but until then, here’s a look at our favorite pieces on sale.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie

By Randy Miller

Ulyana Sergeenko Haute Couture Fall 2013

Review coming soon.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at fashionologie