Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture Spring 2012

by David Pedroza, Editor in Chief

  For Spring 2012 haute couture, Alexandre Vauthier has managed to create a collection perfect for a modern woman.  Alexandre Vauthier, a veteran of Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier, has created his own identity of a post-modern, sexy, yet glamorous woman with the knowledge in great workmanship and fit. These exits evoked the glamour of Jean Harlow, techno, and a very demure sex appeal.  Models stomped down the runway, like amazonian goddesses, dripping with soft silks, glass Lesage beading, gabardine, and feathered ensembles. Soft tailoring was paired with sleek, black vinyl leggings and spiked heels. Streamers trailed behind jumpers, and gowns where cut on the bias to perfection. One suit, a simple boxy jacket and pencil skirt, had a blouse exploding with white ostrich feathers. Highlights of the collection were ombre gowns with lightly tinted ostrich feathers and a black paillette Smoking Tuxedo, that closed the show.  Alexandre Vauthier goes from strength to strength each season, perfecting his craft and vision, and proving that he knows what women want.

All Photos by Stephanie Kaufman for Master the Art of Style 2012

Alexis Mabille Haute Couture Spring 2012

by David Pedroza, Editor in Chief
Alexis Mabille sticks to his principles season after season, making clothes for women who work and require a wardrobe that is not limited, and surpass the quality of any off the rack garment. For Spring 2012, the designer's 4Th couture collection (Alexis Mabille has always presented both ready-to wear and couture in previous years), was a bold execution of color, colors that only the bravest woman could wear. The colors of intense fuchsia, cobalt blue, Robbin-egg blue, and chartreuse, where saturated into simple, 1930's linear silhouettes; silhouettes reminiscent of Lucien Lelong and Maggy Rouff, couturiers that where sought after by Hollywood starlets, in their day for long, negligee, inspired dress. Alexis kept his contemporary vibe, which one would expect from a young couturier, offering a vision for a more practical clientele. One stand out, fete of couture craftsmanship was a Faberge-inspired strapless cocktail dress, encrusted in sea foam green sequins, and gold thread embroidered scrolls. Each model was festooned with an over sized, floral headpiece, and their faces painted to coordinate their ensemble. Alexis Mabille knows how to keep his clients on their toes with out giving up his integrity or vision.

photos by Stephanie Kaufman for Master the Art of Style

The Art of Haute Couture: Dior Couture spring 2012

by David Pedroza, Editor in Chief
Haute Couture has been known as a way for designers to express them selves through experimentation of fashion with an emphases on workmanship. Through the years new ideas have changed fashion and inspired the world, but Haute Couture became a tool for marketing and brand image.The tables have turned, making workmanship and quality as the main focus to drive sales.The workmanship of haute couture was evident, with Bill Gaytten's second couture outing for the house of Dior. Gaytten analyzed the inner workings of a haute couture garment, and reveled its beauty to the outside surface. Delicate, fine layers of organza and crain or horse hair, created nipped waist day dresses that would make Grace Kelly swoon. Fine, window pane prints, where in fact created by individual sequins sewn by hand.
Small irregular squares where painstakingly applied to organza, by hand, to create a crocodile effect, with out giving up the integrity of softness. There was a lightness and ease to Gaytten's second couture Collection for Dior, and much of it seemed to be inspired by its founder and his ideal look, the New Look, which was introduced in 1947. Though nostalgic in reference, the collection was fresh and modern. Some pieces where very simple, with a few pleats and top stitching to adorn them, making it it obvious that Haute Couture is no longer a marketing tool, but a craft of making quality clothes for real women to wear every day. The restrain in the color palette makes it easy for a client to imagine her self wearing these creations, leaving the color up to the clients decision.
Bill Gaytten did not leave fantasy out of the equation, the end of the show was filled with lavishly frilled and beaded cocktail dresses, and ravishing ball gowns that makes one dream of being a princess.

photos by Stephanie Kaufman, for Master the Art of Style

Debut: Rami Al Ali Haute Couture Spring 2012

by April Wirth Hall, Paris Correspondent
Paris, Jan. 25 -- The Syrian designer couldn't have chosen a more beautiful, classically Parisian setting for his first presentation in the city, and what a presentation it was! A handful of gorgeously embellished dresses and gowns decorated the gilded interior of Le Maurice, creating a spectacular scene of glamour and refinement. Al Ali took note of trends, including a gown of intricate cut-outs and of course a few Haute Couture upgrades on sequins. The brilliant crystal-embellished pieces stole the show however, glittering wonderfully in the light as the models moved. Al Ali creates classic, yet highly ornamented pieces for the modest woman; given such a talent, he shall undoubtedly find Paris a very welcoming city.

Photos by April Wirth Hall, for Master the Art of Style

ModeWalk.com: E-commerce Site brings Haute Couture

ModeWalk's Founders Beatrice Pang, Henri Deshays, Bravos's Bevy Smith, and Indre Rockefeller, photo from BFA

By David Pedroza, Editor in Chief
On January 18, 2012, ModeWalk.com officially opened its Paris Universe with a Launch Party in New York, hosted by ModeWalk's Fashion Fashion Director, Indre Rockefeller. The intimate cocktail was held at Sant Ambroeus on Madison, to celebrate the launch of an e-commerce site that is changing the way people buy clothes. ModeWalk, founded by Beatrice Pang and Henri Deshays, brings unique products from Parisian ateliers that offer unique, beautifully made clothes, shoes, and accessories that are not easily accessible. This gives talented designers the opportunity to expand there exposure and give customers the opportunity to experience fresh, new, designs. ModeWalk will also be the first, and only, on line shopping destination to offer Haute Couture from some of Paris's best couturiers such as Christophe Josse, On Aura Tout Vu, and Alexandre Vauthier; arranging private appointments, fittings, and consultations. The site also includes, individual worlds of each designer, behind the scenes photos, and runway images. ModeWalk brings a personalized experience to its costumer at the comfort of their own home, with just one click! ModeWalk.com

ModeWalk.com Paris Universe

On Aura Tout Vu's world, with close ups of each Haute Couture Creation. Haute Couture gown, price upon request, by special order only, www.ModeWalk.com

photos from ModeWalk.com