Ralph & Russo Fall 2014 Couture

It's Couture Monday here again and we welcome the new week with the exquisite Fall/Winter 2014 collection by Ralph & Russo. The Australian-born, British-based duo were inspired by photographer Massimo Listri, who has made an astounding art of capturing interiors. Attention to detail is profound and no (gem)stone has been left unturned to create this outstanding range. 

Intricate embellishments and curlicue embroideries are composed across the palest white and lavender gowns (Set 1 & 2). Lush chiffon and silk crepe gowns sweep the floor with unconfined femininity and grace, glittered with sparkling crystals that attract the light like a camera lens (Set 3 & 4). Navy blue tulle dresses boast prodigious circle skirts (Set 5), whilst perspex and velvet floral appliqués bloom across deep plum dresses (Set 6). 

The marbled and arched subjects of Listri's work can be seen via the exceptional curvature and construction of these couture masterpieces. Structured duchess satin gowns dramatically fill the stage with voluminous skirts that rise and fall in rhythmic ruffles and swirls in Set 9.

Ralph & Russo bridge the gap between the rigidity of architecture and the eloquence of evening wear. This is a look at their sensational Fall/Winter 2014 Couture collection.

Set 1.

Set 2.

Set 3.

Set 4.

Set 5.

Set 6.

Set 7.

Set 8.

Set 9.

What do you think of Ralph & Russo's Fall 2014 Couture Range?

Zuhair Murad Fall 2014 Couture

Couture Week continues with the spellbinding Fall 2014 collection of one of my favourites, Zuhair Murad. The Lebanese designer gives his illustrious gowns an architectural format this season, with sculpted shoulders, angled necklines and exaggerated hips. The strong geometric shapes are softened by billowing drapes in silk mousseline, duchess satin and chiffon.

Constructed in classic monochromes, aquamarine, cobalt blue, raspberry and shimmering silver, this jewel box of cocktail couture and ravishing evening wear finds its inspiration in the visionary works of architect Zaha Hadid. Her artful paintings are glorified in a colourful swirl of digitally printed looks seen in Set 3. Society Girls can bookmark the ritzy mini dresses in Set 1 for their many party and premiere appearances.

Undulating waves glisten across sea blue gowns in Sets 4 and 5, capturing the light with circuitous beadwork that curl out into swishing skirts. Murad also considers his executive client's less formal affairs, introducing sophisticated trouser sets and luxurious jumpsuits in Set 6, elegantly polished off by embellished blazers.

Set 8's entrancing ruby gowns will surely entice Murad's long list of celebrity fans like Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and Blake Lively. The collection culminates with a starry array of glittering silver and white gowns that decadently drip in scintillating crystals and sequins.

This is a view into the stunning Fall 2014 Couture Collection from Zuhair Murad.


Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Set 6

Set 7

Set 8

Set 9

Set 10

Which of these Zuhair Murad gowns would you like to see on the Red Carpet?

Georges Hobeika Fall 2014 Couture

Couture Season is upon us again and where better to begin than the atelier of Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika. He takes a page out of the Impressionist era for Fall 2014, inspired by the florid works of Claude Monet. Hand embroidered flowers burgeoned upon an aquatic blue set of dresses, polished off in burnished metallics in turquoise and aquamarine.

Lace, chiffon, tulle and organza added drama to the weighty dresses with exaggerated hoop skirts, all decadently shimmering with ornate beadwork. Bodices where corseted and skirts were flaired out, revering the feminine silhouette. Glazed chocolate brown, mink and dainty cream gowns were intricately embellished in column and mermaid shapes.

A blaze of cherry red gowns commanded attention with sweeping skirts and beautifully designed necklines. Floor-gliding capes and cropped textured boleros wrapped up the exquisite cocktail looks and jumpsuits. Kiddie couture dresses provided a quaint touch to this outstanding range.

This is the gracefully breathtaking Georges Hobeika Fall 2014 Couture Collection. 


Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Set 6

Set 7

Set 8

Set 9

Which of these couture sets catch your fancy?

The Elie Saab Allure at Cannes 2014

Cannes Film Festival 2014

Elie Saab Red Carpet Dresses

It goes without saying that Elie Saab is one of the most favored and admired couturiers in the world and where better to showcase his unprecedented talent than at the Cannes Film Festival. This year, the Lebanese designer dressed a host of supermodels and actresses in some of his finest evening wear from his current and former couture collections.

Alessandra Ambrosio looked stunning in an avocado green silk chiffon draped gown with lace detailed corset and a ribboned belt from Elie Saab's SS11 Couture collection. Coral Chopard jewels complete her look.

Jessica Chastain floated in a lavender blue gossamer silk gown with slitted skirt, a leather belted waist and asymmetrical shoulder with trailing scarf.

Adriana Lima had jaws dropping at the sight of her sultry ivory Elie Saab SS11 couture gown, featuring a draped skirt, ruffled sweetheart strapless neckline and a glittering Chopard diamond necklace and earrings.

Veteren model Eva Herzigova portrayed light and beauty in this wispy lemon chiffon strapless gown with high slit from Elie Saab's Spring 2010 couture collection.

Brazilian model Izabel Goulart was captivating at the Cannes Grisogono Party in a salmon pink Elie Saab SS14 RTW gown with sheer lace long-sleeved bodice and slitted skirt.

Liu Wen was beguiling in an aquamint billowing strapless dress with flower ruffled motif on the bodice and thigh-high slit, which is from Elie Saab's Spring 2010 archive.

Dominican model Arlenis Sosa made an outstanding Cannes debut in this vanilla one-strap lace paneled dress from Saab's Spring 2011 couture range. A dazzling display of Chopard rubies adorn her neck.

Eva Green complimented the red carpet in a ravishing wine shaded chiffon gown with sheer fluttery sleeves, embellished bodice and sweeping skirt. Her dark brunette waves and red lips beautifully enhance this outfit.

Petra Nemcova was a blushing beauty in a dusty rose silk gown with extreme high slit, tulip draped skirt and lace enriched bodice.

Bollywood fashion maven Sonam Kapoor was gloriously dressed in a fluid sky blue silk pleated Elie Saab Spring 2014 gown with geometric neckline, fitted waist and cascading waterfall skirt.

Sonam Kapoor turned heads in this spellbinding black couture gown, swirled with floral beadwork and fitted bodice that blooms into a capacious ballroom skirt. This dramatic art piece is from Elie Saab's Spring 2014 collection.

Which is Your Favourite Elie Saab Look from Cannes 2014 so far?

Elle Vietnam - A Spring 2014 Couture Spread

The Art of Haute Couture
Elle Vietnam
April 2014

The best part about online magazines is that it closes the gap between countries thousands of miles apart and allows us to view beautiful editorials we may have never seen before. Elle Vietnam presents the majesty of Spring 2014 Haute Couture in their latest issue, lensed by photographer Benjamin Kanarek and styled by Adele Cany. He captures Canadian model Dauphine McKee in a myriad of exquisite couture looks that tantalize our high fashion palates.

Dauphine McKee is ravishing in avocado green on the cover of Elle Vietnam April 2014, dressed in a visually expressive ruffled confection by Alexandre Vauthier.

Marco Zanini debuted at Schiaparelli in grand fashion, showing off a gargantuan puff sleeved white jacket that capes a billowy chiffon gown with feathered headdress.

We have Karl Lagerfeld to thank for updating the average sneaker to couture status. Dauphine looks stunning in a turquoise and teal iridescent peacock feathered dress with sequined tulle skirt. 

What seems to be floral curtaining takes a couture turn in this well tailored (and actually wearable) pantsuit by Maison Martin Margiela. In typical MMM avant-grade style, the look is paired with a mesh mask & bronze boots.

Touching upon more feminine ground, Dauphine is styled in a beautiful ivory slashed bodice and satin pleated skirt by Alexis Mabille.

With his futuristic design aesthetic, couturier Stéphane Rolland gave us a glazed apricot orange gown with a patent leather exaggerated bodice and sheer paneled skirt.

Dauphine strides in a wave of sky blue organza and a mesh beaded top by Armani Privé, topped with a headscarf that supplements the ethnic feel to this outfit.

A spiked gold choker and burgundy leather bustier lend a goth dominatrix look to this edgy and sensual Alexandre Vauthier ensemble.

Dauphine cites the retro disco era in a silver silk jersey hooded jumpsuit with plunging neck by Versace that is fully encrusted with studs and sequins.

Dauphine takes flight in a theatrical butterfly shaped Jean Paul Gaultier silhouette, set in flutters of lace trimmed cerise pink organza. Wearable? Well, maybe for a show girl. Creative? Most definitely.

This artful white On Aura Tout Vu dress is constructed from an inventive gem-studded high-collar and off-the-shoulder neckline with a split high-low hem draped skirt.

It takes a skilled photographer to make an Elie Saab gown look even more stunning in editorial, as Benjamin does with this gorgeous oceanic blue silk chiffon dress with slitted skirt and strapless neckline.

Modesty and grace meld together in Valentino's guipure lace embroidered long-sleeved gown.

The true essence of Spring is depicted by beaming canary yellow and coralista pink in a radiant two-piece creation with embellished top and fishtail skirt by Giambattista Valli.

Which of these Spring 2014 Couture looks inspire your imagination?

*Next Post on Wednesday.