Paris Couture Fashion Week

Summary by: Michelle Villagracia
Date Published: January 28, 2010
As the wave of Ready-to-Wear collections prepare to kick off on February 11 with New York Fashion Week, nothing whets our appetites more than Paris Couture Fashion Week. The stars and fashionististas were out to celebrate couture and Jeanne Beker was there with her mobile in hand to provide her take on some of the shows. Here are the highlights:
The Dior Show:"Hooray! A New Age fashion eccentric! The spirit of Isabella Blow is in the air. Dita Von Teese is outfitted in leather..."
"Ballgowns are grand perfection! Galliano is such a master of draping. Timeless elegance, with a nod to the past..."
"Seeing these garments up close like this is dizzying. Crystal-embroidered tulle skirt, made of petals, is eye-popping."
"Galliano comes out in full riding gear, just as the questione is posed; Who is the master and who is the slave?"
During Armani:"Tina Turner rocks at Armani! WHAT a gorgeous woman...inside and out. And Ann Hathaway is lovely in silver satin Armani..."
"Lunar, space age feel... Ball gowns sparkle!. Armani takes a bow, happily looking much healthier than last time... "
At Chanel:"On Rue Cambon the Chanel crowd sits on silver couches as Kanye West poses for photogs. Leans over and gives me a kiss..."
"Then he whispers: I'm not doing any press. Huh? His girlfriend is decked out in a Chanel kint a la Grace Jones..."
"Genius of Karl is that no matter how many confections he whips up, there are always subtle new twists to his vision..."
At the Givenchy show:"Hip hop star Ciara makes a last minute entrance. She's Tisci's new muse... "
"The ostrich feathers fly, along with big flouncey ruffles. And there goes a pair of black feathered walking shorts... "
"Backstage, Tisci says tonite heralds a new era for him. He's talking to a woman who's more sophisticated, confident."
"He says his message to women is to be fearless, and to love themselves first and foremost.... "
The Jean Paul Gaultier show:"Hats passing. Haute sombreros look amazing! JPG is having a romance with Mexico. I'm just back from there, too!"
"As wild as JPG sometimes gets, he has a knack for being wonderfully realistic too. First wearability, then fantasy. Ole!!!"
"JPG's riff on exoticism and romance have been captured perfectly. Jungle looks coming at us now. Lush, tribal, stellar!"
"Arielle takes the stage, singing down the runway in a sensational coral tulle gown. Wish I was back in San Miguel!!!!!"
Valentino show:"Valentino has a dreamy feel, but with edge. Blush meets black, with leggy looks, a little dazzle, and super sexy booties... "
"Natalia Vodianova, who showed her Etam lingerie line last night at the Ritz, feels the house is moving forward with aplomb"
"Brave new direction for Valentino, but they're trying to seduce a new hip and well-heeled clientele to the house."