Armani Prive Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW09

The pantsuit is making a subtle comeback at Paris haute couture, and there’s only one master who can make beautiful pantsuits: mr Armani. He has a lifetime authority on the subject. His show focused on jackets with rounded shoulders over sofly pleated pants. Colors were silver, black and ivory. Armani said he’d been inspired by black-and-white-movie stars, but the collection never looked too retro.

Chanel Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW09

The Chanel haute couture collection was shown in the Grand Palais on a stage set with giant No 5 bottles. The collection looked quite toned-down, Lagerfeld played with graphic proportions – suits and dresses with long panels at the back shown with lace tights  and stiletto heeled booties. The sparkle was there, but it didn’t lit a huge fire.

Givenchy Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW09

Even when he’s designing haute couture Riccardo Tisci moves between strict-chic  and otherworldly, goddesslike creatures living in his fantasyworld. This season it looked like mix of Morocco, Berber tribes-people and other Middle Eastern influences. The silhouette was tailored with padded shoulders and focus at the waist, fabrics moved from velvet to leather and golden embroidery. There were hoods and veils, corsets and drapes – and it all looked very modern.

Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW09

Jean Paul Gaultiers message was clear: his haute coutureshow was a tribute to all those moviestar-beauties of the last decade- from Brigitte Bardot tot Lauren Baccall and Louise Brooks. A perfect theme for a glamourous couturecollection with lots of silver, gold, lace, tuxedo’s, leather and fur.

Christian Dior Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW09

It was just a plain haute coutureshow without the extravagant theater. In the dove grey salons of the Christian Dior headquarters John Galliano held an almost traditional show like it was in the fifties. Galliano was inspired by behind-the-scenes photos taken as Monsieur Dior dressed his cabine of mannequins for shows. So there were half dressed mannequins in lingerie and petticoats wearing brightly colored variations on the classic New Look-silhouette.

Valentino Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW08

Elie Saab Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW08

Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW08

Givenchy Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW08

Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Catwalk Fashion Show FW08

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