The 18 Most Gorgeous
Gowns from
Haute Couture
Collection Fall 2012's was, for several houses, a momentous week of firsts.
After saying goodbye to Jil Sander this past spring, Raf Simons debuted his
first-ever couture collection for Christian Dior. Showing a collection that was
deemed unique and unlike anything previously shown at Dior, Simons managed
another first, while in the process changing the face of couture forever.
Donatella Versace
showed her collection at the Ritz for the first time, an emotional and
significant venue for the house and designer as it was previously used by her
deceased brother, Gianni, for over eight years. One of the most noted
collections at Couture week was Valentino, headed by Chiuri and Piccioli, who
managed to produce a collection that broke off from the traditional designs and
colors that had originally stifled and stiffened the house's image and natural
progress. As expected, these many firsts produced some of the most magnificent
gowns to date.
Here are the 18 most gorgeous
and
jaw-dropping gowns seen in
Paris at this year's
Fall 2012 Haute Couture Week
Alex Mabille
While most critics
were none too pleased with Mabille's Fall Couture collection as a whole, a few
winners were singled out including this stunning body-hugging black dress that
featured sexy lace appliques and mysterious bat-wing sleeves.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Christian Dior
Raf Simons debuted his
first Haute Couture Collection for Christian Dior to a huge fashion crowd
including Marc Jacobs, DVF, Donatella Versace, and Alber Elbaz. Like his
opulent show which featured thousands upon thousands of flowers, his collection
was magnificent and unlike anything ever shown. This stunning pink number was a
crowd favorite as it showed off a classic Dior silhouette.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Christian Dior
Beyond luxe, Simons
displayed a royal blue fur gown that appeared to have been made for the likes
of royalty.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Christian Dior
Another gorgeous Dior
number, this time in the form of a dramatic midnight blue ball gown with a
sheer fitted black top.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Chanel
Deemed "New
Vintage" by Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's Fall Haute Couture 2012 line was
filled with the most decadent glamour from head to hosiery which included
sparkling metallic tights. Anja Rubik showed off one of the night's most
riveting looks which looked both futuristic and retro, a combination that
worked fluidly into exquisite eveningwear.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Chanel
Lindsey Wixson closed
the Chanel show in the most dramatic wedding gown to date which featured a huge
feather skirt. Extravagant as always, the Chanel finale showed the fashion
world its definition of killer couture bride.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Elie Saab
The fashion godfather
of the celebrity red carpet, Elie Saab showed one of his prettiest and lightest
collections to date. Using an abundance of delicate fabrics such as Chantilly
lace and silk jacquards that looked gold leafed, Saab showcased soft shades of
pink blue and gold. One of the night's prettiest numbers included this gorgeous
gown that looked straight out of a fairy tale.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Elie Saab
Saab shows his talent
for extravagant embellishments on this dress modeled by fashion's darling, Karlie
Kloss, who also happened to open the show.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Giambattista Valli
Giambattista Valli
employed bucolic prints to play up the house's over-the-top ruffles. Layers
upon layers of organza ruffles felt surreal, dream-like, but more importantly, haute
couture.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Giambattista Valli
While most of the
looks from Valli's collection featured volume times more volume, a few gowns
showed off the house's more sensual side. This forest green gown belted with
gold leaves felt magical and dream-like.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Georges Chakra
Georges Chakra showed
off his eveningwear chops with his Fall 2012 Haute Couture collection that was
filled with exquisite gowns and over-the-top frocks. One of Chakra's favored
hues of the night included a deep crimson red, as seen on this decadent gown.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Georges Chakra
Another stunning
embellished gown from Georges Chakra's Haute Couture Collection. Sequins,
tulle, and organza done in majestic black and purple makes for a seductive
evening gown that can easily be seen on the likes of Anne Hathaway and Nina
Dobrev.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Givenchy
Givenchy designer
Riccardo Tisci, presented a Fall 2012 collection of intricate beading and
detailing, inspired by gypsies of Southern Italy. The collection focused on structured
shapes in earthy tones of chestnut, ocre, terracotta, and rosy red.
Additionally, Tisci kept the collection thoroughly modern with sweeping capes.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Givenchy
Givenchy's Haute
Couture collection showcased luxurious pieces that, while streamlined, felt
decadent and regal. Monochrome separates in natural tones like this number kept
the looks elegant and sophisticated.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Zuhair Murad
Jaw-dropping
eveningwear was seen at Zuhair Murad's Fall 2012 Haute Couture Collection.
Embellishments abound, amid heavenly fabrics, including organza and lace. Murad
presented exquisite gowns such as this royal blue dress encrusted with jewels
and brilliant stones.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Zuhair Murad
While Murad's talent
heavily lies on embellishments and luxurious fabrics, for this collection he
also showed off gorgeous and lively prints like this stunning evening gown that
was enhanced in beauty by the fluidity and movement of the gown's silhouette.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Atelier Versace
Donatella Versace
kicked off Fall 2012 Haute Couture Week with a bang, displaying show-stopping
gowns meant for Hollywood bombshells like Jennifer Lopez and Sophia
Vergara. Most of the gowns felt very
Versace, with hip-high slits, pastel chain mail, and a silhouette meant for
svelte figures that tightened at the waist while cupping the breast. Karlie
Kloss showed off one of the collection's biggest and most seductive numbers, a
beaded evening gown that revealed more than just a hint of skin with nude
chiffon fabric.
Photo: IMAXtree
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Valentino
Maria Grazia Chiuri
and Pier Paolo Piccioli, for their Fall 2012 Haute Couture collection, showed
off a darker and more mysterious side to the Valentino woman. Explained by
Piccioli as "sensual but severe," the collection felt decadent,
romantic, but more importantly, moody. Full length lace and chiffon dresses
were adorned with jewel-encrusted capes that felt both lush and sober. Dark colors,
especially the midnight blue, gave the clothes a sense of introversion that was
different from anything seen in the past.
Photo: IMAXtree
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