The first few shows of Fall 2014 Haute Couture Week — which kicked off Sunday in Paris — brought the expected grandeur of intricate beading and fanciful dresses, but also some of the more interesting ways to wear them. From Dior to Giambattista Valli, we saw actually wearable, albeit luxe, looks in bold hues and creative new silhouettes. Below, our four favorite looks from yesterday’s shows.
1. Last night’s Giambattista Valli show featured a very different take on its traditional finale: A couture bride came down the runway in an everyday pajama top. It was paired, of course, with degradé, feathery tulle ball skirts — which looked nearly effortless when paired with the silky separate.
2. Raf Simons again shows us why Dior remains so exciting season after season. The voluminous Marie Antoinette silhouettes dominated Instagram, but it was his evolution of the house’s Bar jacket that stood out to us. Beaded, layered for effect, and worn over black turtlenecks and slim pants, it was couture styled in a surprisingly wearable way.
3. Marco Zanini’s second outing for Schiaparelli featured headpieces and many a petit chapeau designed by Stephen Jones. While there was a madcap explosion of sequins and animal prints (even the runway was dressed in leopard), we loved a shocking pink velvet gown with floral appliqués — and paired with, brilliantly, a jungle-green feather headpiece.
4. At Sunday evening’s Atelier Versace show, asymmetric silhouettes dominated the runway, with both sleeves and pants alternating in starring roles (and even a few one-legged jumpsuits). This one-shouldered power suit with boned and buckled corsetry looked strong and sleek.
