And so my loves, this is my most anticipated round of collection runway shows – Paris Couture has started.  This is the stuff my dreams are made of,  the art of fashion, the heart of my inspiration.  How gorgeous and intricate, boundary pushing and gravity defying these gowns are.  These frocks are sure to grace the red carpets for awards season and peppered among celebrities at premieres, galas and fetes.

Here are my top picks from the masters of the atelier…. Stephanie Rolland,  Elie Saab, Christian Dior and Givenchy.

From Stephane Rolland – chic, architectural minimalism at its finest.

Elie Saab really out did himself.  For this collection he channeled allurist and demuretrix Norma Shearer, a 1920’s actress once dubbed the Queen of MGM (playing such roles as Marie Antoinette, Juliet from Romeo & Juliet and acting along side greats like Clark Gable).   The details in these gowns are admittedly stunning and seem like floating frothy confections delicious enough to eat.  Layers of sumptuous tulle, organza, mousseline as well as flowers and pearls bring back delicate dressing.  Really feminine and old hollywood, I think this collection is superb and a must for nominated Actresses.

I really can’t get enough of all the details and delicate design elements.  The flesh tone is mesmerizing and incredibly flattering.  These dresses emulate the glitz of hollywood and the influence of greek goddesses.

This red is incredibly luxurious and so brilliant.

Not personally such a fan of this peridot green in general, however I am won over by Elie as his creation looks ravishing with porcelain skin and garners resemblance of Judy Garland in MGM’s 1944 “Meet Me In Saint Louis”  (one of my all time favorite musicals – If you have never seen it I highly recommend).

These white numbers are show stoppers and really just such artful perfection.

Simply gorgeous, this saloon esque frock really drives the lady-like home.

This dress looks like something the 1950’s classic Barbie would dream of wearing, and that Charlize Theron could rock with her bewitching elegance.

Below: The re-define of black. Its hard to remember the last time black was THIS alluring.  The sheer and the sparkle melt together to create something similar to my ambrosia.

And like the perfect punctuation to an eloquent sentence, the stunning antiqued wedding gown brought the show to a close.

Elie Saab himself, kudos.

Next, one of the loves of my life and genius John Galliano for Christian Dior.  Season by season he continues to eclipse himself and capture the essence of our imagination.  With the grandeur of his shows and the commitment to marrying the past with what is now, Mr. Galliano is a master of the art of couture.  As the 1950’s trends always are my favourite, the continuation of the Dior New Look in Galliano’s representation of the House of Dior is much appreciated and timeless.  And with this collection, the master of house has preformed a salute to the legendary fashion illustrator Mr. Rene Gruau, the man who gave life to the haute of the 40’s and 50’s and to whom we owe Christian Dior’s iconic illustration imagery.  Galliano said this was his most technically challenging collection yet.

An unexpected side cowl/drape is quirky and modern.  Interpreting the play of light and shadow that mimics Gruau’s illustrations in watercolor and pencil, Monsier Galliano ensued with several layers of tulle, instead of the less painstaking way of achieving this look by hand painting the fabric.  The outcome was an impressive taste of degrade, along with  the addition of embroidery and sequins on one side of the gown to evoke the like of the illustrator’s pencil marks.  Like I said, the reason why this is the essence of what dreams are made of, especially for young designers like myself.

Melding fantasy with wearability.

The belles of the ball.

Bravo.  A look at the magic. Close ups, beauty shots and a flash from genius past: Illustrations by Rene Gruau.

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The master John Galliano (recent hair cut questionable.).

At Givenchy, designer Riccardo Tisci was inspired by Japan and the art of Robot toys. With incredible detailing, one dress requiring 2,000 hours of cutting and 4,000 hours of sewing, these gowns are pure artwork.  Appliqués on boleros included a catholic cross over a robot’s face, a three dimensional spread of vermillion wings cast out of laser cut organza appliqued on layers of chiffon and tulle, and an appliqued japanese crane rising out of a cloud of feathers.  Toped with sci-fi head armor by Philip Treacy, one could least expect these creations are out of this world.

Hope that Inspires you, It has me mesmerized still.  The love of knowing anything is possible with dedication, vision and resolve to me is the passion of my life.

Enjoy and create!