Paris Couture Week 2013 - Part 2

Paris Couture Fashion Week
Spring/Summer 2013
Part Two

This is the closing chapter in my Paris Couture Week coverage. 

Georges Chakra
An extravanganza of colour collided at Georges Chakra's Spring Couture show, in a zesty fruit bowl of orange, lemon, guava and grapefruit. Black, white, navy and blue also weaved its way through the the colour-blocked cut-out evening gowns and slinky embellished mini dresses. Innovative necklines dipped into fit-and-flare silhouettes and floaty chiffon skirts...with glistening beads and a few feathers were thrown in for good measure.

Elie Saab
When it comes to creating exquisite evening wear, Elie Saab reigns supreme. Elie's SS13 Couture range follows his evergreen template of ethereal sheer gowns smothered with floral appliqués and the most intricate of crystal embroideries. Dresses were doused in a syrupy palette of ice blue, lavender, ivory and honeycomb, then turning more dramatic in shades of vivid red and black. Pocketed ballroom skirts and floor-sweeping capes brought a certain modernity to the princess ensembles. I hope to see a few of these on the red carpet.

  
Armani Privé
I never would have put the words 'Armani' and 'Tribal' in the same sentence before, but this couture season, Giorgio took a cultural journey through the Middle Eastern and beyond. Slick satin trouser suits with sharply-cut cropped jackets and waistcoats were seen in abundance, alongside ethnically patterned dresses and beaded peplum tops. Scarlet, saffron, bronze and black made up the colour quota of layered looks and radiant evening gowns.

   
Valentino
The value of a Valentino Spring couture gown is measured by finely filigreed embroidery, conscientiously piped onto organza in a garden trellis design. A sense of demure femininity was advocated through long-sleeved dresses with high necklines in variations of virtuous white. Floral, caped and birdcage dresses shared the stage with graceful evening gowns in crimson red, ivory pearl and inky black tulle.

     
Georges Hobeika
Fast becoming one of my favourite couturiers, Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika brings forth unprecedented prettiness for Spring. The season is beautifully shaded in emerald green, turquoise and carnation pink with whispers of lilac, grey, maple and rose. Full-skirted chiffon gowns were decked with incandescent beadwork and decadent floral motifs, artfully pieced together to create a celestial flower garden in bloom.

   
Zuhair Murad
Zuhair Murad makes the dresses that Hollywood starlets love to wear, and with this ravishing new Couture collection, he is sure to inherit a few more fans. Ornamented with lavish gold embroidery and shimmering sequins, his impeccably fit evening gowns enchanted with their sensual femininity. A blush of peachy coral and oceanic blue was seen alongside cloudy whites, metallic gold and pewter. Swishing chiffon skirts and column gowns with languid capes breezed across the runway...and hopefully to a red carpet in the near future.

Who has most impressed you this Spring Couture season?


*If you missed Part One, stroll over here.