Kelly Saiz
It has been understood, in situations ranging from the behavioral patterns between father and son to the imperial attitudes of nations, that ideas may be passed down from top to bottom. Like many things, the translation from high fashion to street fashion can take time. However, a fashion-conscious dresser, or perhaps a person simply interested in art, can always depend on the Internet to satisfy the immediate relay of couture fashions. Here for you, I will briefly ponder a selection of the highest rung of current fashion — the spring 2010 couture shows.
Christian Dior
Dior’s main man John Galliano sent models down the runway in long skirts and varying necklines. The collection had an equestrian element and a refined sophistication. His selected silhouette was undeniably feminine and in some ways risqué. Similar to recent years, Dior’s gowns were bold and played with irregular proportions. The colors were the equivalent of the structure of Mr. Galliano’s garments in their bravado.
Valentino
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who have survived as the creative directors of Valentino since 2008 (a year after the departure of the fashion house’s namesake, Valentino Garavini), ran the show for this spring. While Dior was busy layering their women, Chiuri and Piccioli were accentuating the womanly frame. Through a manipulation of fabric, short hemlines, thin pants, and necklines, the duo was able to inject their personality into the longstanding label. However, the tradition of Valentino was not forgotten in a few rosso valentino numbers at the end of the collection, in addition to an artful use of chiffon.
Chanel
An acclaimed master of the art, Karl Lagerfeld, once again proved his ability to inject a quiet modernity into the traditional look of Chanel. The collection began with an unusual jacket-short combination. Lagerfeld played with the iconic Chanel jacket look by changing up the shape and length of the garment, in addition to adding embellishments and styling several pastel looks. As the collection progressed, pieces increased in complexity, whether in the form of silver handiwork or bubble-like proportions. Models walked in demure floor-length gowns towards the end of the show. Interesting was the nonexistence of black in this season’s couture collection.
Thimister
Josephus Thimister turned his attention to Fall rather than Spring for his most recent couture show. Military survived as the commanding trend of Thimister’s Fall 2010 couture runway (pun unintended). His hues were primarily red, dark green, off-white, and brown. Most astonishing was the line up of matching utilitarian jumpsuits during the final turn of the models.
