Breathtaking is always an appropriate word when describing every haute couture presentation. With the 2024 Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week having wrapped up last week, there were plenty of memorable shows that we just couldn't stop thinking about. One of them being Simone Rocha's collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier, which saw the Dublin designer's first venture into the couture world. Another show that managed to create an internet sensation was John Galliano's Maison Margiela doll-esque collection. Obviously, other houses also deserve recognition for their couture collection.
Haute Couture Fashion Week 2024
These five key takeaways from the 2024 Haute Couture Fashion Week.
Schiaparelli
Opening the festive week, Creative Director Daniel Raspberry honors house founder Elsa Schiaparelli's fascination with outer space (kudos to his astronomer uncle, Giovanni Schiaparelli) through meticulously crafted silhouettes for Schiaparelli SS24 Couture Collection. The collection is dominated with champagne-hued gowns, huge funnel-like necklines that disguised the face behind screens of lace, and beaded fringe play. One of the flashiest looks is the robot dress that is entirely embroidered with Swarovski jewels and electronic chips in silver and green. If anything, Schiaparelli's SS24 Couture belongs in an art museum.
Simone Rocha for Jean Paul Gaultier
One of the most anticipated collections of the fashion week is Jean Paul Gaultier's guest designer collection by Simone Rocha. Though Rocha counts as a reputable designer, she's relatively new to couture. Through this occasion, Rocha managed to showcase her chops while simultaneously adding a new spin to her aesthetic.
The collection emphasizes on modern romance through backless ball gowns, exquisite tulle creations, and soft yet dramatic silhouettes accompanied by corsets, crystallized fringes, flowers, and-of course-ribbons. Simone Rocha's first couture collection surpasses expectations and leaves everyone pleased as the designer successfully combines the two houses' identities perfectly.
Miss Sohee
Miss Sohee's runway feels like we're watching fairytale characters come to life. Bright spring colors combined with dreamy silhouettes that varied from slender to voluminous.
A mix and match between classic and sultry looks, Miss Sohee's couture collection showcases silhouettes of bustier gowns, bridal dresses, and plenty of body-hugging corsets which involve the delicate colors of the spring. Extravagant is the word we could think about.
Robert Wun
Robert Wun knows his way to create a harmonious marriage between horror and couture. Using the couture week to commemorate a decade of work in the industry, Wun strives to reflect his growth and expertise in his couture collection. Filled with intricate craftsmanship and evocative silhouettes, Wun draws his inspiration from his so-called poetic muse that is no other than the horror genre to present a show-stopping surrealistic collection. From transparent skirts, dramatic ruffles, crazy head ornaments, to avant-garde gowns that are like no other. It's truly giving elevated American Horror Stories.
Maison Margiela
Whimsical and nostalgic, Maison Margiela Artisanal Collection feels like watching a fashion show from the '90s. Leaning into the subversive Victorian style, Creative Director John Galliano shows the true essence of haute couture. Each outfit feels surreal; displaying a blend of upcycled materials and avant-garde design that only Galliano could envision. There's bodycon corsets and cinchers, wood and doll-esque breastplates, draped tulles, silk organza dresses with abstract lace-all emphasizing what couture truly means. Not to mention the hyper-shiny porcelain make-up look that got our jaws dropping in awe. It is absolutely a show that will go down in history.
Among these collections, which one takes your breath away?
(HAI/alm)