Closer to art than the clothes most people own, haute couture is exclusive by definition because each bespoke piece is designed for a customer. Haute couture shows take place twice a year and only in Paris. During haute couture week, fashion houses invite their best customers and the press to attend the fashion shows. It’s a time to unveil the boldest visions of creative directors and the technical skills of design teams. A haute couture collection serves to reinforce the image of a brand. It’s kind of a manifesto and a perfect marketing opportunity: a new couture collection makes people want to buy into it. Haute couture is often provocative, overwhelming, empowering and meaningful and sometimes even breathtaking. Here is what I remembered from the last haute couture week which took place in Paris from July 4 to 7, 2022.
Balenciaga hired celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell and Dua Lipa for the fashion show in the French capital and revealed the last collection filled with technological innovations. Olivier Rousteing for Jean Paul Gaultier presented a series of creations that paid homage to Gaultier’s archives with iconic pieces such as conical bras with Breton stripes and trompe-l’oeil patterns. Daniel Roseberry’s couture collection for Schiaparelli-Born Again was rich in floral motifs. Fendi presented a high jewelry collection designed by the house’s artistic director of jewelry Delfina Delettrez Fendi (daughter of Silvia Fendi) using an abundance of white and yellow diamonds. As haute couture is always very rich in jewels, here is what I have retained in terms of accessories during the Fall/Winter 2022/2023 haute couture shows:
Neckgame
The neck is not forgotten this season and it has attracted all the attention in beauty with large necklaces or even a choker in XL version. This imposing jewel takes on the power to express its power and strength, the neckline shines and imposes itself in elegance.
Schiaparelli
Elie Saab
Stéphane Rolland
Head jewelry
The ultimate chic is a head ornament. During the Parisian haute couture week, cocktail hats and turbans made a comeback. The most spectacular head ornament that made the face jewel at the same time was presented by Iris van Herpen. The Meta Morphism collection celebrates the house’s 15th anniversary. The head jewelry was designed by an artist based in San Francisco, Lance Victor Moore. Crystal beads adorn the leaves on and around the head forming a shimmering halo for a unique and breathtaking effect.
Zuhair Murad
Giorgio Armani Privé
Iris van Herpen
At last, here we are my four favorites pieces seen during the last week of haute couture in Paris: a bit of color, a bit of elegance and a lot of femininity. The next haute couture week will return from January 23 to 26, 2023.
