The Charms of Couture ~ Fashion Week 2021 ♡

Welcoming in twenty twenty-one with a wave of charms in the form of Haute Couture. There is something ever so magical and bewitching about encountering a new collection of darling pieces to inspire your own outfits.Last week myself and my best friend Victoria discussed our thoughts on the latest shows, primarily focusing upon Chanel & Giambattista Valli. I thought I would focus in particular detail upon my personal favourite pieces and the inspiration behind the collections…

Chanel’s collection for Spring 2021 was wedding inspired – with models entering on white horses and rose garlands adorning the Palais Garnier – Virginie Viard expressed her ‘bohemian style’ inspiration for show which featured was a family celebration in a village – flounces and petticoats were ubiquitous and of course, we didn’t miss spotting an array of tweed! The silhouettes this season were a lot simpler than usual but I think my favourite piece would have to be look No.25 a taffeta, satin dress with red, white and pink dots with a flouncy skirt! It looks so elegant but also fun and playful.

Hurel reinterpreted a sample from the historic archive of Kimtir that they acquired, the embroidery house created by the Duchess Marie, the sister of Russia’s Grand Duke Dmitri who was Chanel’s lover in the 1920s. Chanel showcased Kitmir embroideries in her own designs at the time. Using the tiniest embroideries – the single dress took several months to make – The fabled haute couture salons of rue Cambon have been reimagined by Jacques Grange the floors of the Grand Palais were bedecked with strewn rose petals – with an immersion of feathers, camellias, embroidery and lace. Viard cited inspirations like Emir Kusturica’s film ‘Time of the Gypsies’

Ruches and ruffles sculpt the feminine silhouette with tulle strokes and more in Giambattista Valli’s Spring/Summer 2021 Haute Couture collection.

One of the features I loved from the show was the voluminous hair styles which reminded me of the 1960s. The video of the show featured models walking through a white room in their elegant gowns whilst a male ballet dancers performed around them.

“In Valli’s digital fashion show, a dancer represents the divine messenger who descends from Olympus to Earth to infuse the spirits with wisdom, goodness, and elegance. Admiration and amazement fills the viewer as the clothes follow one after the other harmonizing with each other and lulling us with their fairytale figures on an imaginary journey.”

The Fluffy dresses, ’60s-style backcombed hair were a dream and reminded me so much of Priscilla Presley. Valli took his inspiration for the hairstyles from photographs of Bendetta Barzini and Marisa Berenson, and I thought it was lovely to see each hair do’ finished with a delicate corsage!

Do you have a favourite piece from the collections? I’d love to know!