This year’s Paris Haute Couture fashion week for the Autumn/Winter collections took place at the start of July. Designers included Stephane Rolland, Alexis Mabille, Georges Chakra, Zuhair Murad, Christophe Josse, Fausto Sarli , Elie Saab (you know Elie is one of my favourites) and the usual, traditional names Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Gaultier, Chanel, Dior and Valentino.

Georgio Armani

The Armani pieces dazzled the crowds this year. We saw rich, tawny, autumn colours with emphasis on the colour amber. This shimmery strapless number has a metallic but rustic feel to it. It is a great length and there is no need to accessorise …if you do decide to nothing other than a clutch bag will suffice. Imagine how the dress looks in motion. Clearly a show stopper for your nights out at premieres in Leicester Square.

Chanel
Chanel managed to get this beige- bijoux, jeweled dress flashed onto the catwalk. This knee-length outfit has the kind of detail that will get most tailors salivating it comes with full-on gems and feminine sparkle. Accessorise with matching bangles and finish off with a pair of fury, patent tipped cowboy boots for that autumn/winter edge.

Dior

“A new garden of Dior blooms!” this flamboyant, multi-layered, chiffon dress has an undercurrent of black and resonates with a bouquet of flowers. There is a splash of amber from a central starting point this will prove popular whichever Gala or fundraising you attend.

Written by
Monica Cummings BA Hons, MA (Fashion Thirst’s Fashion Editor)

In the midst of the Commuun displays there were palettes of light greys, charcoal and dusky teal. This outfit caught my eye. It is feminine, minimalist and subtle with asymmetric lapels made from satin… great for the office with the onset of Autumn season.
The matching gloves dress it up distinctively making it wearable as an elegant ensemble; I’m thinking a quick appearance at a cocktail party in Notting Hill or an exhibition launch in Hoxton. This sharp outfit is clearly for the modern, urban woman.

Moving on check out this exquisite strong two-tier teal coloured number with blends of muslin, satin and chiffon. The shape of the dress encapsulates the many facets of the urban lady; it’s a stunning dimension with its rectangular, square integration. The long sleeve, dusky gloves give character to the outfit – ideal for an evening at the Opera, the Proms in the park after party.

The late Alexander McQueen’s (RIP) collection was also displayed and reflected a mixture of bright creams to strong gold and maroons. Layers, corsets and embroidery bestow a feel of royalty – think Chateau de Versailles!

Lebanese haute couture designer Elie Saab’s creations were full on floral, lacy, romanticism. Pearls, chiffon, layers, ruffles echo an English Spring garden, it was fresh, feminine, innocent and elegant. Halle Berry often wears his designs.
To recapitulate Paris fashion week gave us a smooth edge, femininity and the chic polished finish that we always anticipate c’était magnifique.

By Fashion Thirst’s resident Fashion editor – Monica Cummings, BA Hons. , MA

Beyonce at the 2008 Grammy awards wearing a light blue Elie saab dress. Looks as if she is about to attended a fairly tale wedding to marry her prince. On her wrist is the wide Lorraine Schwartz design diamond cuff worth half million dollars.