Christian Dior Couture ::

John Galliano's Couture collection for Christian Dior showed in Paris last week, taking a giant cue from the world of flora and fauna.

the layered dresses, skirts and shoes all referenced different types of flowers with delicate layers, bold shapes and intricate painted fabric. according to Tim Blanks of style.com, Galliano was inspired by nature itself as well as flower photographers Irving Penn and Nick Knight.

the head pieces of brightly colored cellophane, on top of the curly petal inspired hair, were made by Stephen Jones and were the final touch to the "just bought from a florist" feel.

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:: John Galliano. images via style.com.

Valentino Couture ::

while the collection started off with classic shapes and colors, the Fall 2010 Valentino Couture collection " a dark side of first love" quickly moved into another realm.

a literal take on the dark side of first love, the designers brought forth a feeling of being caged in with a bird cage around the models upper body, pinning in her arms. a similar skirt on another look and feathers found on the footwear brought the collection as a whole into a storybook type of presentation.

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:: Valentino designers Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri. images via style.com.

Elie Saab Couture ::

Elie Saab's Fall 2010 Couture Collection was presented on a slick runway with a black backdrop, a decision that not only let the collection of deep, heavy pieces be foreground but gave them a chance to be seen in detail.

although the collection has been viewed as old fashioned by many, there were some amazing pieces throughout- none more so than the wedding gown of silver and gold that finished out the show.

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:: Elie Saab. all images via style.com.

Givenchy Couture ::

Riccardo Tisci's Fall Couture collection for Givenchy was 11 looks in total. the designer showcased floor-sweeping, heavliy draped dresses in shades of white, nude or gold under ornate jackets. lace, fringed feathers, beading and leather were incorporated in intricate detail.

each color pallette was on view in a separate salon. not having witnessed first hand, Tim Blanks of style.com explains in detail the experience here.

one can only imagine the chilling effect the viewing of this collection would give. the feeling of life and death, flesh and bone... love.

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:: collection. click image to view larger. all images via style.com.

Armani Prive Couture ::

Giorgio Armani's Fall 2010 Armani Prive Couture collection brought back a touch of grace and beauty. the classic old-hollywood silhouette's mixed with a mix of menswear had me wanting to steal almost every piece shown. especially the capes.

the designer stuck with neutrals, and incorpoated lacquered wood accessories, adornments and buttons to many of the looks.

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:: Giorgio Armani. all images via style.com.

Chanel Couture ::

Karl Lagerfeld's Couture collection for Chanel started off on a dark and serious note. blood red jackets and black ensembles made their way out first, but thankfully, a sea of whites and creams, deep navy's and light mesh pieces began to follow.

the pieces were embroidered and beaded, and trimmed with velvet and fur. the line seemed more F/W than couture, until the final intricately detailed dresses came through at the end. overall, pretty...but i don't really have more comments.

on a side note, Peter Philips did an amazing job on the make-up; the soft skin and light eyes with a pop of deep red on the lip really stood out. and the light natural hair whisping over the eyes...perfection.

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:: details. click image to view larger. all images via style.com.

chiffon couture ::

Valentino's Spring 2010 Couture collection was the third designed by new heads of house Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. the collection was inspired, so obviously(?), by Avatar as GQ points out. does this not freak anyone else out? Valentino, king of Couture, in the hands of others goes....blue? sad.

i enjoyed a lot of the collection, but was it fitting of Valentino and especially Valentino couture? chiffon and body conscious dresses ran the show, and brought a fresh sense to the design house. was anyone else thinking some of the colorful body con dresses were similar to the S/S Emanuelle Ungaro looks, or rather what they should have been had Lindsey Lohan not been involved?

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:: details. beaded mittens and bendable chiffon ribbon eye pieces.

:: Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. images via men.style.com.

top hats and whips ::

John Galliano brought his A game to Paris for the presentation of the Christian Dior Spring 2010 Couture collection presentation.

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a mix of equestrian chic and royalty worthy ballgowns, the master was influenced by a visit to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum where he viewed Charles James' gowns being made for this spring's exhibition American Woman.

"I was reading that, actually, it was Charles James who influenced Monsieur Dior to come up with the New Look," he said. "And then I was looking at a photo of Charles James doing a fitting—and on the wall behind him was a picture of women riding sidesaddle. And that was it!"

the collection included satin top cats, cinched waits blazers, riding length skirts, black crocheted hair nets, the modern take on buttoned booties, satin black gloves and whips.

the gowns came out at the end, and are sure to be snapped up quickly by celebrity fans and stylists. Galiliano brought out a mix of red and purple that not many can pull off, but was perfection. i can see the black chiffon tuxedo gown on many editorials.

the lips were deep red, the eyes were outlined with a deep black eyeliner and the skin was porcelain white. Galliano truly told a story and followed through with it with every detail. the tear shaped earrings, necklaces, rings and especially the caged tear shaped bracelet were perfect- note to self, i need the bracelet. love.

:: John Galliano. images via style.com.

crisp ::

Ricardo Tisci's Spring 2010 Couture collection for Givenchy as a whole was tailored, parisian chic. and the lampshades on the models head were...just random. Tisci brought in pantsuits, organza voluminous short dresses, and soft feathers in this well rounded presentation of couture.

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:: backstage. the make-up was dramatic and bold on the backdrop of the all black runway. i love the deep lip and metallic eye combo.

:: he brought back the bootie with underlying t strap shoes from Spring 2010 RTW, and they make the list of one of my covetable items <3.

:: Ricardo Tisci. images via style.com

atypical ::

designer Elie Saab broke out of his typical mold for his Spring 2010 Couture collection, and brought out a softer subtle view on couture. obviously different for the designer, but exciting to see him try to take a stab at something new.

the collection was consistent, thoughtful and romantic. while he focused heavily on beige, rose and ice blue, Saab also brought in his signature flowey bottoms, lace, crystals and attention to collarbones.

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:: the temple braids and dusty orange cheeks/ lids were perfect, and offset the deep shimmery blue of the runway and stage.

:: Elie Saab. all images via style.com.

all that's silver and white ::

the Chanel Spring 2010 Couture collection presented in Paris at the end of January was ethereal and bright. white, white, white with a touch of silver and frosty pink. no black, no stripes, no quintessential Chanel emblems or accessories.

a touch of the old was seen throughout the collection, and Karl was able to take the bow (which has been popping up everywhere, for example Tavi's colosal front row bow scandal) and make it his own with chiffon. Silver nails, silver motorcycle gloves and silver chokers detailed the pieces in the most elegant way. Karl's way.

the hair was huge, and the silver grey streaks were very cruella deville. although the mix of style was ranging through the decades, Lagerfeld adds that "fashion is always now" according to style.com. i couldn't agree more.

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:: Karl Lagerfeld tying in his use of color. all images via style.com.