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

Holiday Luxury Gift ideas 2011

Gift 1: Meet iconic fashion designer Carolina Herrera, attend her runway show, visit her showroom and shop her collection.$18,500
Includes:
• Round-trip business-class airfare for two
• Four nights at the fames New York Palace Hotel
• Two premier seats at the Carolina Herrera Fall 2012 runway show at Lincoln Center
• An insider’s visit to the showroom, where you’ll meet the designer and her team
• A $5000 credit to privately shop the Fall 2012 collection in the showroom with Marisol Rivera (your expert Saks personal shopper) and a Carolina Herrera expert
• Dinner for two a Carolina Harrera’s favorite restaurant
• Luxury car service throughout your stay

Exclusive to Saks Fifth Avenue. Please contact Marisol Rivera at Saks for further details:
t: (001) 212-940-2149
e: marisol_rivera@S5A.com

Gift 2: Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Cape and Gown in Silk Chiffon, order color or print of your choice with 3 fittings, Cape $ 9,050 and Gown $18,000.Please contact Marisol Rivera at Saks for further details:
t: (001) 212-940-2149
e: marisol_rivera@S5A.com

Gift 3: Van Cleef & Arpels Haute Couture 'Zip' necklaces and cuffs. This style is made from white gold set with diamonds, prices start at $597,000 and up. By special Order athttp://www.vancleef-arpels.com/

Gift 4: A stay at the Dior Atelier Suite at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. Email: concierge@purentonline.com for hotel suite packages, room pricing, and availability

Gift 5: The most expensive purfume in the world, No 1 by Clive Christian, tope notes of Pineapple, plum, mirabelle, and white peach. $865.00 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Please contact Marisol Rivera at Saks for further details:
t: (001) 212-940-2149
e: marisol_rivera@S5A.com

Gift 6: A vacation in the South of France: A villa escape in Cote d'Azur, France. Comfortable host a party of 14 for a week, $21,531.00 per week. http://www.palmerparker.com/

Gift 7: Art! The Hysterical Mother, 2007, by Louise Bourgeois, Price Upon Request. Contact: mailto:mcristopher@hauserwirth.com at Hauser & Wirth Gallery , New York City

Gift 8: The Luxury of Fur: Revillon Persian lamb trench coat with mink pockets, $31,089.00. http://www.brownsfashion.com/

Gift 9: Best gifts are always the ones you make your self! Fendi Baguette Needlepoint Kit, everything you need to make your own, signature Fendi baguette. Available to pre-order for $995 at Neiman Marcus

Gift 10: The most important gift of all, spending time with friends and family! Priceless!

Happy Holiday's,

David Pedroza, Editor in Chief

Handmade in Silicon Valley II: Camille K

by Christine Suppes, Editor At Large

(Editor’s note: this is the second in our series ‘Handmade in Silicon Valley’. Our goal is top show our readers that not only the finest high technology in the world is produced in the Valley, but a flowering of gifted fashion and accessory ateliers exist here as well).

This story is about a love affair with France,craftsmanship, and couture. Carla Labat’s grandmother was a hat maker in Pennsylvanian the 1880’s. A photograph from that time popped into Carla’s head when she was visiting the Paris Flea Market. Looking at gold bullion passementerie, she believes her jewelry line CAMILLE K (named for her daughter)was born. She began collecting gold and silver bullion trims, pearls,beads and rhinestones. Twenty-two years later, Carla now has a chic Parisian-infused atelier in the heart of Silicon Valley. Her contacts with the French embroidery companies are extensive and her current collection features necklaces, chokers, brooches and bracelets utilizing original Prevost trimmings, the same Prevost that Chanel used when her company was young.

Carla says that every piece of stone,buckle or embroidery she has collected for nearly 25 years in France represents people, places and eras. She is married to a Frenchman, and her beautiful daughter Camille is the brand representative. Camille K Couture has been featured in Allure, San Francisco Magazine and other luxury publications.

Camille K is available at http://camillek.com/

Photos Courtesy of Camille K