Roll On Couture
MONDAY sees
the return of Couture Fashion Week for spring/summer 2012, hot on the heels of
the men's shows (see all the action here), and with them comes another couture return: Atelier Versace. Donatella hasn't showcased her bespoke wares
anywhere but the red carpet since January 2004 - but what better season to show
the brand's most expensive dresses than the one which debuted its least
expensive ever: for H&M?
After
Versace's opener, the day sees a mix of the old and new of the couture world
take to the catwalk. Two of the fashion house's newest additions; Alexis Mabille and Giambattista Valli, show on Monday; as does one of couture's
institutions - Christian Dior - still with Bill Gaytten at the helm. Only his
second collection since taking over as creative director, it could
scarcely receive a more robust critical panning than his first, but his
ready-to-wear line in October fared much better, so perhaps summer is his
season.
Tuesday
brings out the big guns: Chanel, Givenchy and Giorgio Armani Privé - as well as couture's
"Modern Knight", Stéphane Rolland, who promises his show's bride will be a
surprise worth waiting for.
Valentino and Jean Paul Gaultier promise to thrill us on
Wednesday: with fun, frivolity and fabulous models on one hand, and with
almost-edible frothy dresses and make-up we'll want to copy on the other. One
thing is for sure: when dresses that cost more than a house are worn by the
world's most beautiful women - the pictures are always worth a look.
Click back
on Monday for the latest fashion as it happens.
