Iris Van Herpen Haute Couture Fall 2013

We have been following the work of Iris van Herpen for a while, and she is indeed in a league of her own.

Each piece is embedded with thought-provoking ideas, and drenched with exquisite detailing. In her most recent collection, van Herpen embarked on an exploration of wilderness, nature and how the human body fits into that.

Motifs of nature can be seen through the way in which the organic shapes spiral around the bodies of the models, forming extraordinary silhouettes.



They are architectural, constrained, yet wild. Her designs are transcending the natural limits of clothing, in almost morphing the human figure into something abstract, something changed. The collection is decked with many "hard-shell" looking designs, which themselves are embedded in intricate detail. And not to mention the nymph-like ethereal makeup and hair, which brings to collection together magically.

Now remind us, what's the difference between fashion and art again?

"For me, fashion has always been about setting your own boundaries and making a statement."

-Iris van Herpen

with love.

Rings at Chanel Couture fall 2013

Chanel have truly done something right, with their hard-hitting hand candy, which we see as being some seriously all consuming bling.

with love.

Backstage Snaps

* Kasia Struss and Monika Jac Jagaciak @ Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2012-2013 * Backstage @ Valentino S/S ‘14 * Hanne Gaby Odiele and Kasia Struss @ Calvin Klein *

* Dior Homme SS’13 Backstage * Unknown *

with love.

Versace Haute Couture Fall 2013 Details

We can always leave it to Donatella to “go back to real glamour”.

This time with a focus on the picture perfect ways of “that black-and-white era."

Photographs sourced via. Dazed & Confused (Lea Colombo)

with love.

Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall 2013

Last resort season, Raf Simons was all about embracing a new sense of dynamic freedom, and that surely was translated within his Haute Couture Fall 2013 collection for the house.

Talk about complicated, for this collection Raf meshed global references (from Europe, to Africa, Asia and even America.) Noting that he was indeed for the idea of "freeing up couture" (Raf Simons), yet again he pursued the notion of haute couture in a more modern and dare we say it- accessible and wearable sense.

What a remarkable beautiful collection is was.



Attempting to re-structure fashion noms as we know them, Raf explored the future of haute couture, stating that "psychologically, emotionally, [couture] can be approached the same way as ready-to-wear: out there for women to enjoy and to wear.…It’s a psychology of how clothes can look in relation to a modern woman and the way she is living her life and experiencing the culture.” For us, this is the special thing about Raf Simons at Christian Dior. He allows the house to explore the limitations of the fashion world in ways which have not been done before.



So as Raf Simons strives to grant us freedom, we see a range of Parisienne tailoring (yes the good ol' bar jacket again), alongside traditional Asian and African influences. Almost disjointed, the collection is quite a rightful interpretation of Raf Simon's Internationalist nature, embracing the new-age Dior woman (client) in whichever part of the world she may reside in. Optimistic national emblems, bold shades, and the liquorice all-sort like stripes (which we have grown very familiar with) mark much of the energetic collection.

"If we don't adapt to what women in society are now about, couture might disappear"

-Raf Simons

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Valentino Fall 2013 Couture Details

In a collection of extravagance and sublime moments, this look was a favourite of ours.

We particularly adored this Valentino piece because of its beautiful sheer lace and understated opulence, embodying the wonder of the house.

Photographs sourced via. Style.com

with love.