 The world in July is swayed by fashion - now it's French lace, now
it's hob-nailed boots, now it's elegant, now it's tacky - anyhow
that's the world of glitterati designers, consumers and those who wish
from afar that the fantasies could be theirs. Celebrities have
descended on Paris for the haute couture collections, with fashion
houses such as Christian Dior, Valentino, Chanel and Giorgio Armani
offering their take on red-carpet glamor with precious handmade
creations. Dior designer John Galliano thrilled a young Hollywood
crowd led by Drew Barrymore, Liv Tyler and Mischa Barton with his
spectacular show inspired by Renaissance artists. On the runway, his
freewheeling take on the period produced looks ranging from 1940s
skirt suits with matador-style embroidery to a Gothic red-and-black
vinyl coat trimmed with monkey hair.
Italy's Valentino whetted the appetites of the guests at his show with
a Russian-inspired collection of opulent evening gowns with gold
embroideries that evoked religious icons or Faberge eggs.
Giorgio Armani is another Italian designer who has been dressing stars
for decades, but he only ventured into the rarefied field of couture
two years ago. His Armani Prive collection has since won over leading
ladies from Beyonce Knowles to Penelope Cruz.
For autumn-winter 2006-07, Armani conjured a soft silhouette by
pleating everything from cashmere to python leather and satin.
Karl Lagerfeld is always one step ahead of the pack. As fashion
editors shed layers to cope with a heat wave, the Chanel maestro piled
them back on in his autumn-winter haute couture collection.
One of the world's most prestigious brands, Chanel is privately owned
by the secretive Wertheimer family, who spare no expense in making the
designer's wildest fantasies come true.
Two of the most famous fashion designers celebrated birthdays in July -
Pierre Cardin (July 7) and Giorgio Armani (July 11). |
