Giambattista Valli Fall 2013 Couture - Paris Couture Week

"You can't say Giambattista Valli doesn't like flowers.  For his Fall 2013 Couture collection, Valli sent out an array of beautifully constructed dresses adorned with a variety of floral appliques.  But these blooms weren't directly inspired by nature.  Rather, Valli took his cures from the decorations of fine china and porcelain.  Italian Capodimonte works came to life in a selection of white dresses, which Wedgewood's famous patterns inspired a number of blue and white looks. The red gowns were an homage to Sevres, and the multicoloured embroidery in the show reflected the spirited look of Meissen crafts.  It would almost be irresponsible not to point out that this collection is primes for jokes about fashion plates, but the dresses are quite seriously beautiful." - fashionologie.com

Elie Saab Fall 2013 Couture - Paris Couture Week

"Royally opulent silhouettes appear from between the columns of the Palais Brongniart," Elie Saab's program announced. But that's only half right. It wasn't the silhouettes that were opulent; by couture standards the construction of the gowns was quite simple. Corseted bodices were far outnumbered by softer, draped styles, and the designer opened with what was essentially a floor-length T-shirt dress, albeit in tulle embellished all over with crystals." - style.com

Christian Dior Couture Fall 2013 - Paris Couture Week

As a force relatively new to couture, it is fascinating to watch Simons apply his experimental intelligence to creating an immersive experience out of his shows, while simultaneously thinking through what it means to design for Christian Dior's global clientele.  This time, he treated his audience to a show conceptualized to investigate the influence of Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa on Dior.  Huge digital projections of the girls wearing the clothes shot by Patrick Demarchelier, Terry Richardson, Willy Vanderperre, and Paolo Roversi appeared on the walls of a white box as the models walked past." - vogue.com

Vogue Goes Fresh for August with Claire Danes

What: Vogue August 2013

Who: Claire Danes

Photographer: Annie Leibovitz

Designers: Narciso Rodriguez, Burberry Prorsum, Donna Karen, Hermes, Calvin Klein, and Victoria Beckham.