Vogue UK November 2011 | Saskia de Brauw

Saskia de Brauw stars in a Vogue UK November 2011 editorial titled The Illusionist. Shot by Mario Testino, Saskia de Brauw dons couture pieces that exude old Hollywood 1940′s vibes in this stunning Vogue UK November 2011 editorial that features couture creations from the likes of Giambattista Valli, Valentino, Chanel, Dior, Azzedine Alaîa, Givenchy, Armani Privé, Jean Paul Gaultier and Atelier Versace. Love the creative concept of this shoot; a simple backdrop, spotlights and beautiful Haute Couture garments is all it takes.

Speaking of couture, the inaugural Women’s Fashion Week 2011 Singapore will kick off tomorrow right here in Singapore starting with the fringe Prét-à-Porter event which will feature collections from selected brands that are located at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. All of these shows will be held from the 21st to 23rd October, at TWG Tea on the Bridge, Basement 2 at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and are free and open to the public.

However, the main event, Best of Haute Couture Week, which will be held from 26th to 30th October will be invite only. Held at the Expo and Exhibition Centre, Marina Bay Sands, 8 couture designers from the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture will feature their latest collections. These include Alexis Mabille, Anne Valerie Hash and Stephane Rolland, who will close the event, among others.

It was great then that the organisers decided to come up with the Haute Couture Exhibition which will be held from 6th to 31st October located at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands’ Jewellery Lane. This exhibition is open to the public and aims to impress upon them the exquisite world of Haute Couture. Last but not least, WFW 2011 Singapore will also present an Asian Couture Showcase that will feature collections from Asian and Singaporean designers including Ashley Isham, Thomas Wee and Federick Lee.

Visit WFW2011 Singapore for more details.

I swear I could cry if I ever held a Haute Couture garment; to feel the luxe fabrics, the man-hours put into it, the exquisite workmanship; the highest level of fashion in short. For now, check out the Saskia de Brauw by Mario Testino for Vogue UK November 2011 couture editorial below.

Image credits: tfs

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Giambattista Valli Couture Fall 2011

Giambattista Valli finally made his debut in couture by staging his first ever Giambattista Valli Couture Fall 2011 show in Paris. Having worked under Emanuel Ungaro -who apprenticed under Cristobal Balenciaga- where he helmed the ready-to-wear line and honed his craft before deciding to start his eponymous label in 2005, couture was always present in his veins; so it was no surprise that the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture finally came knocking.

Giambattista Valli presented a collection of 45 looks which were based around the tunic shirt of the atelier worker. Translated into a skirt in the first look, the collection slowly blossomed as he churned out loose tunic dresses and that fitted and trapeze silhouette that is a favourite of his. Floral embellishments, beadwork and huge bow ruffles in a sea of white, black, pink coral and red adorned dresses that remind you of Valentino’s grace.

Dresses mostly came in two colours to keep the looks simple and polished, letting the elegance of the silhouette -that were decorated with ostrich feathers and floral appliques- speak for themselves. Headpieces and makeup were kept subtle; a smart move to draw the audience’s attention to the clothes. These were accessorised with metal belts and necklaces that were created by his partner and jewelry designer Luigi Scialanga. Then came the segment of dresses in leopard prints where the silhouette changed to an old 50′s couture with generous amounts of fabric. What was sorely missed in the house of Valentino when the great Valentino Garavani left, was certainly present here at Giambattista Valli Couture.

What Giambattista Valli did was prove to the fashion world that he could do couture; it was an affirmation. What he did was inject his usual ready-to-wear with the couture element. With these looks, he not only proved that couture is in his blood but also proved that couture is not a dead-end business that gets featured in retrospectives. It was a first and confident outing and we can only look forward.

‘The most beautiful thing about the couture is the devotion.’ -Giambattista Valli

No surprises then that Princess Charlotte Casiraghi choose to wear Giambattista Valli Couture to her Uncle’s wedding last week.

And last year if you remember, Charlotte Dellal -designer of London shoe brand Charlotte Olympia- wore an amazing voluminous Giambattista Valli wedding gown on her nuptials.

Probably of sign of things to come from the Italian maestro that is Giambattista Valli.

Image credits: tfs, style.com

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