Raf and Hedi

So I dropped off the blogging grid for about a week... Sorry for the lack of posts but I have been busy keeping up with school and traveling and truthfully felt a little uninspired.  While I have been loving the Paris fashion shows, I didn't want to inundate you with fashion and wasn't feeling much inspiration from other sources.  So of course today what shall I write about? Fashion.

The big news this season (and for months now really) has been the new designers for the houses of Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.  Raf Simons left the Jil Sander brand after the Fall 2012 season and debuted for Dior as a couturier this summer.  But his first ready-to-wear line for the historic brand has been much anticipated.  Just as the arrival of Hedi Slimane at the helm of YSL.  Slimane hasn't been designing for a few years now (leaving Dior Homme for a move into photography) but he's been given completely creative control over the YSL brand.  First order of business, changing the name to Saint Laurent Paris.  He's also redesigning stores and coming up with concepts for and shooting advertising campaigns.  While Slimane did create a collection for resort, it was only viewable by buyers.  So his Spring 2013 show has been much anticipated.  Here are how both amazing designers are bringing their iconic houses into the future.

Dior Spring 2013

Raf went back to Christian Dior roots with sleek, ladylike tailoring.  He also demonstrated the beautiful minimalism he is known for, but never in a stark way.  

Saint Laurent Paris Spring 2013

Slimane channeled some classic Saint Laurent shapes while injecting his years spent in Los Angeles.  The feel was very California bohemian with the rocker chic of the '70s.  

(images via Style.com)

Paris Couture

It's Paris Couture week.  Get excited.

Twice a year, in January and July, couturiers show their designs during Paris Couture week.  While nowadays people like to throw around the word couture to mean high fashion, it's meaning in France is very specific and not to be used lightly.  In order to be a couturier, you must be accredited and recognized by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in France.  It is a government agency that is protected by the state in order to regulate the craftsmanship that is involved in couture garments, which are made by hand with the most detailed work by the most specialized houses.  Just being a fashion designer, even one who shows at Paris Fashion Week, does not mean that you are a couturier.  So Paris Couture week does not feature many designers, making it all the more special.  (Also, if you are recognized as a couturier, you must show in Paris, no exceptions.)

So with that being said, the clothes for Couture week are beyond anything else.  One of the first to show this week was Donatella Versace.  The House of Versace had taken a break from doing couture for many seasons until this past January when they returned to Paris for the Spring/Summer Couture showing.  For Fall, Donatella showed her collection at the Hotel Ritz, where her brother Gianni often showed his couture collections.  The looks in my opinion are classic Versace, showing off a woman's body in the way only Donatella can.

Another big show was Christian Dior.  While Dior's couture is always a sight to see, this season is particularly exciting as it is the debut of the House's new Creative Director, Raf Simons.  Over a year after John Galliano was let go from Dior, speculation about his replacement ran rampant and many thought it would be Marc Jacobs who would take over.  But supposedly Marc was not too keen on the couture part of the job description.  Instead, right after the Paris shows for Fall 2012 wrapped up in March, it was announced that Raf Simons was leaving Jil Sander and heading to Dior.  Simons is definitely beloved by the fashion industry and his debut collection for Dior did not disappoint.  He brought his minimal sensibility and attention to detail to Dior.  Some looks reminded me a lot of Simons' Fall show for Jil Sander (the pale pinks, reds, neutrals and the slightly different take on sweetheart necklines).  Simons overall focused on the architectural aspects of classic Dior form taking cues from the founder himself while still making everything modern, clean and classic.

Here are some of my favorite looks, more from Couture Week coming soon!

Versace Couture Fall/Winter 2012

Scarf prints were used in many dresses

The detail on this trench is amazing

A recurring theme was dresses cut up and swoon back together...with crystals.

Such a tiny dress... so much amazing detail.

Notice the bead and crystal work. Astounding. 

Christian Dior Couture Fall/Winter 2012

First look, classic tuxedo styling 

A recurring theme, ball gown tops that ended at peplum lengths over cigarette pants

The same blush pink from Jil Sander Fall 2012

Such a simple dress, but so much construction 

Beadwork!

Schiap Pink.  

(images from Style.com)