Runway Report: Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012--Photos + Runway Video

Sculptural Mastery

Who's Ready For Cocktails? Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012

Inspired by French artist and sculptor Michel Deverne, Stephane Rolland's Spring 2012 Haute Couture Collection was an homage to the sculptured form. Folds, pleats and volants were the accents in each look which made the entire collection such a standout achievement in clean, sober, yet directional Haute Couture.

Michel Deverne Sculptures

In order to show movement and the sculptural aspect of each garment, fabrics were simple, clean and rich: silk organza, gazar, crepe, chiffon and georgette. There was also a simple color palette of red, ivory, black, and lime green (definitely becoming THE COLOR of the season, also seen at Atelier Versace and Armani Prive).

Fan Fabulous: Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012

Lots of Gold...seen in belts, neckline, waist and torso pieces. It gave a modern Spartan Goddess look to some of the structural column gowns as well as the light-as-air chiffon pieces. Cut-out's also played a starring role in the collection.

Lipstick Red: Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012

And in terms of accessories--well there's the ubiquitous fingerless driving gloves that we have seen in many an Haute Couture collections this season. The shoes: sky-high stacked pumps in matching colors with gold accents/details--Oh and the heel: 6-7"!

La Diva: Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012

There were enough styles and silhouettes in this Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012 runway show to satisfy both Lady Gaga and the UBER elegant Sheikha Mozah of Qatar--as well as Queen Rania of Jordan---all clients who've bought (Sheikha Mozah and Queen Rania)--and been lent his gorgeous designs (Lady Gaga). Oh and did I mention that 1/2 Iranian 1/2 English Supermodel Yazmin Le Bon (Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran's wife), ended the show with a gown weighing 110 POUNDS!!?? Scroll down kids...

Lime Green Beauties: Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012

Warrior Goddesses: Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012

Noir et Jour: Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012

90's Supermodel Yazmin Le Bon ends the Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012 show, with a red gown weighing 110 pounds of silk crepe and metal center front accent pieces. Those model-handsome boys behind her? They were her "Gown Guards". I just want to know how I can hire them for me...


Click Below for Video of Stephane Rolland Haute Couture Spring 2012:

Runway Report: Armani Prive Spring 2012--Photos + Runway Video!

Haute Sea Creatures

Underwater Fab: Armani Prive Spring 2012

Continuing with Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, the Italian Master--Giorgio Armani-showed his Armani Prive Spring 2012 Collection. It featured 44 looks all in varying shades of green. Now, something must be in the air--first Karl Lagerfeld showed his Chanel Haute Couture Collection all in varying shades of blue, now Armani--but in green this time. What's next? Next season, another designer will show their Haute Couture Collection in all shades of purple?? (or maybe I should for my next NIKOLAKI collection!!).

Russian Dolls: Elena Perminova and Miroslava Duma at the Armani Prive Spring 2012 show

Present for the showing were a bevy of Armani-ites--from Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev's wife and part-time model, Elena Perminova and Miroslava Duma, former editor of Russian Harper's Bazaar and Russian fashion icon--to actresses like...

Jessica Chastain--who in fact, got word of her Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress as she was sitting down for the show. She had the nerve to answer her cell phone as the Armani Prive show was about to start: Mon Dieu!! Thank goodness she did (there were shrieks and claps being heard right before the beginning of the show). Well, I have a very strong feeling that Chastain might be wearing Armani Prive to the Oscars. I might even bet money on it.

Green Sea Creature: Armani Prive Spring 2012

Now, onto the show: The all-shades-of-green collection was called "Metamorphosis". Something about a woman who changes from being calm and elegant and slowly "comes out of her skin". As one can see from the photos in this posting, the varying shades of green--from hunter green, apple green, to chartreuse--were beautiful. In terms of fabrications, Armani and his Couture atelier always deliver stupendous modern fabrics with sci-fi elements such as metalized silk satins, gazar, organza and oversized paillettes and beading.

Shoulder Chic: Armani Prive Spring 2012

The show began with the incredible craftsmanship of Armani's suits; those architectural shoulders that slant ever so slightly upward and probably required hours upon hours of draping and tailoring to get it just right. His skirts were side-draped and folded in an original way, bringing life to the otherwise same-old same-old pencil skirt.

Princess Beatrice Is Calling: Armani Prive Spring 2012

Haute Milliner Philip Treacy, created the twisted miniature fascinators to help bring to life Armani's Metamorphosized "creatures of the sea" and there were some fingerless driving gloves that Madonna would LOVE. Here are more photos from the collection and take special note of the final gowns in this posting--these have Academy Awards Red Carpet written ALL OVER them! Hello Jessica Chastain!

Chartreuse Couture: Armani Prive Spring 2012

And The Nominees Are...Armani Prive Spring 2012

And The Winner Is...Armani Prive Spring 2012

Click Below for Armani Prive Spring 2012 Runway Video:

Runway Report: Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2012

A Lesson in Couture...

Flou Couture: Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2012

Only one season after showing his first ever Haute Couture collection, and designer Giambattista Valli has finally achieved the "Couture Stamp of Approval" from the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Coutuire Parisienne and is now the "one to watch out for". He has certainly shot up to the "Head of the Couture Class", especially since last season's collection was such a hit--with both editors, fashion critics, as well as the well-healed clients. Speaking of clients:

Valli Girls: Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco, Sarah Jessica Parker

Who can forget how GORGEOUS Princess Caroline of Hanover's daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, looked in that baby blue Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown (bought not borrowed!!!) at her uncle's Monaco Royal Wedding--almost stealing the spotlight from Princess Charlene. And Sarah Jessica Parker in the same Haute Couture gown but different color (it was the runway sample!).

And of course, there's Spanish aristocrat/Fashion Doyenne Nati Abascal, who has worn Giambattista Valli Haute Couture (photo above) and...

Even Laura Vecina, now Duchess of Feria got married to one of Nati's beautiful sons in a Custom Giambattista Haute Couture design (above photo). Now that we've gotten the clients out of the way, let's talk about his new Haute Couture collection for Spring/Summer 2012.

Luncheon or Cocktails? Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2012

Yesterday, he showed his Spring 2012 Haute Couture collection, and from the photos, it was a "Return to the Classical Couture". Seeing every exit/look made me think: "We've found the Heir to Valentino, Ungaro and Yves Saint Laurent!" The clothes were sublimely elegant, restrained yet modern. No tricks, not so many "bells" or whistles, but just beautiful well-made clothes destined for the aristocrats of Europe and South America. While Donatella's Atelier Versace has "Girlfriend of a Russian Arms Dealer Billionaire" written all over it...Valli's client is well, more Victoria Crown Princess of Sweden and Sheikha Mozah of Qatar.

Bow-licious: Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2012

Colors ranged from pure white, silver gray, deep black and shots of fuchsia, pink, magenta and red. There were lots of prints, from delicate stripes to exuberant water-colored flowers. Fabrications were luxurious (Hello? It's Haute Couture!): hand-embroidered laces from Switzerland, French silks, and crocodile skin.

LBD: Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2012

Shapes were Lady-like, chic and perfect for those aforementioned aristocrat and royal clients. Strapless ball gowns, one-shouldered dresses a la Ungaro (where Valli once designed) and sleeveless sheaths were standouts. Bows were the "Star" detail, much like in the Christian Dior Haute Couture collection. Here are some more photos from the collection:

Royal Wedding Guest: Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2012

Where's My Chauffeur? Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring 2012