Couture 2011 Round-Up: Good, Better, Best

Forgive me for being insensitive to the current economical climate but Couture is supposed to be about beauty, wealth and decadence. I may be being a little fashion-blind but there were few collections this season that even whispered those words. Chanel was a massive let down for me so I don't even want to talk about it (I usually love Chanel, so that's saying something) and the rest, well, was rather uninspiring. There were, however, a few saving graces.

I'll start with the good, Valentino:

Valentino wasn't extraordinary but it's the craftsmenship of the pieces that stood out to me. They clearly have been beautifully made and constructed but sadly the bland colour scheme let the collection down a bit. I thought these dresses were particularly gorgeous - they're perfect for the upcoming Oscars - but otherwise I wasn't that bothered, sorry Valentino lovers!

Up a notch from Valentino is Givenchy:

Last season I fell completely head over heels for Riccardo Tisci's collection for Givenchy so he had a lot to live up to. I don't think 2011 packs quite the punch as 2010 but it is still undoubedtly a stunning collection. I love the flashes of colour and the sheer/feather combination and think that the white theme is really strong. I could see every single one of his dresses worn on the red carpet but these were my favourites. The first dress is out of this world, no?

For the grand finale and my personal favourite - Elie Saab:

If you click on the image it will enlarge and you'll see just how perfect these dresses are. Every single piece in Saab's collection was red-carpet perfect, I really couldn't fault him. Admittedly the dresses are a bit safe in terms of fashion but there's no denying that they're completely absolutely stunning. I'm usually not so disappointed at Couture Week but I think Elie Saab saved it for me, without him this post wouldn't be possible!

What do you think of Couture Week in comparison to ready-to-wear? Do you think it should have been more outrageously decadent or are designers right to present something representative of the economical climate?

PS. If you haven't already, please pick me to win an internship with Elle, it only takes a second and I'll be forever greatful!

photos from style.com

Spotlight: Tommy Ton

A good street style image can get you a long way and Tommy Ton know's only too well it's power. The man behind Jak & Jill turned his hand to style.com and kabam, beautifully shot street style is just a click away.

I've chosen Tommy for this week's spotlight because his photo's from Couture week are simply divine - I love looking at images from the street and it's definitely a bonus when they're photographed so beautifully...

I love how mysterious the bottom two photo's are and as much as I want to hate her (The City should be classed as propaganda not entertainment) I can't help but love Olivia Palermo, she looks insanely beautiful as always.

Who is your favourite street style photographer, The Satorialist, Garance Dore maybe? Let me know - I'm always on the look out for new talent!

photos by Tommy Ton for style.com

Hear Me Roar

If you went to the Chanel show in Paris yesterday (don't tell me if you did, I'll only hate you for it) then this is the first thing you would've seen - very Chanel, non? Only Papa K would have a 40ft lion in his den for fun but boy do we love him for it. 

The collection was so incredibly beautiful that even the lion was left in the shadows; I fell in love with his SS10 Couture for the simple palette of white and silver but AW10/11 was altogether more dark and luxurious. The jackets were beautifully cut below the elbow, the dresses tiered at the empire line and the evening ensembles embellished to heaven and back - it was pure, glorious Chanel.

So aside from the boots, this collection is a massive winner - it also makes me want to chop all my jackets to elbow length just so that I can wear a stack of glittering bracelets, anyone else? What do you think of Karl latest offering, I'm dying to see front rower Jessica Alba in either of the evening dresses...

photos from style.com and The Telegraph

J'Adore Couture

To my own amazement I rarely follow the Couture shows, I just have one of those irrational 'I can't afford any of this' fears and therefore avoid it altogether. However, last season I (like many others) got suckered in by Chanel's Couture Collection and finally started paying attention - albeit several years too late.

This season is no different; the shows haven't even gotten into full swing (I'm super excited about Chanel) and I'm already smitten. Christian Dior was a massive surprise as it was totally opposite to the AW10 Ready-to-Wear and it was just so colourful...

Aside from the massively obvious floral references, I saw a little bit of Marc Jacobs SS10 and a little bit of Taylor Momsen's hair from The Grinch years - either way I actually kind of liked it. It's way too colourful and flouncy for me to ever consider wearing (if I won the lottery, it might happen) but I can already see most of the dresses being worn on the red carpet.

But it's Givenchy that's been the stand-out collection so far, I mean these dresses are seriously beautiful...

Inspired by the uh-mazing Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her three obsessions: religion, sensuality and the human anatomy, Riccardo Tisci has really put himself out there as a serious couture contender. I'm usually quite dubious about feathers and embellishment but Tisci's got the balance perfectly, who wouldn't want to wear either of these pieces?!

I can't wait for Chanel, Papa K will undoubtedly present a blinder of a collection and when he does I'll be the first to gush. On a more serious note though, who can actually afford to buy this stuff? I'm pretty sure I'd have to sell my house to afford one piece, let alone every season...

photos from style.com

25

Seriously, how can one girl be so perfect? Everyone knows that Abbey Lee has been my girl crush for a while now and I feel this image is justification enough.

Isn't she just amazing? But on a more serious note this issue of 25 actually looks really good - Beyonce and couture? I'm there. My magazine collection has become a little bit ridiculous now; not only does it take up way too much space in my bedroom but I still haven't read quite a few of them, oh the shame!

I'm one of those hideously annoying people who organises my magazines and castrates anyone who touches them (I think I'm OCD, anyone else?) expecially if they snap the spine, god forbid. But with covers like this, you'd be a fool to get it all grubby and use it as a doorstop, non?

Karlie Kloss, Constance Jablonski AND Abbey Lee Kershaw - with Anja Rubik as 25's recently appointed Fashion Director, the covers were never going to be dull.

Which is your favourite cover?

Frabbey

Aka Freja Beha Erichsen and Abbey Lee Kershaw.

My two favourite models backstage at my favourite couture show, what more could a girl ask for?! I've heard so many rumours about them being a couple and dear god I hope it's true. They look super cute together and this photo is perfection personified!

I know it's a bit late to be posting about the couture shows but this was too cute to pass off.

photos from thefashionspot.com

From the Runway to Rihanna

At the Glamour Magazine Women of the Year Awards in New York on Monday, Rihanna traded her tough get up for a bit of Stephane Rolland couture (above). The dress looks really good on her; the pleating, the fishtail and the colour - it makes a nice change to see her in something a bit more feminine.

This Jasmine di Milo dress from SS10 also looks stunning. I love how the dress is draped and yet structured at the hip; again I prefer the dress on Rihanna than the skinnier models (I'm normally all for the skinny minnies of the runway, but because there's always one exception, right?)

Photos from celebrity-gossip.net & style.com