The Most Extravagant Accessories From the Haute Couture Shows
Dora FungMarket Director
Updated
Valentino - Game of Thrones or romantic funeral?
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The Valentino Haute Couture show took place in Rome today, outside their new flagship store, and wherever designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli goes, the crowd follows! It was Roman gladiators meets Grecian goddess touch of Games of Thrones thrown in for good measure. Golden crowds and floral headwear seem to be the big accessories from Couture this season. Every Valentino model wore a golden garland or antique-looking crown and a statement medallion necklace. All hail Maria Grazia and Pierpaolo!
Valentino
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Valentino's Goddess.
Valentino
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Shoes were kept simple, but very Valentino in the form of strappy gladiator sandals.
Maison Margiela Artisanal
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Thanks for coming ladies and gentlemen. The couture shows in Paris might have just peaked with John Galiiano’s collection for Maison Margiela Artisanal on Wednesday morning. A master of craft and fantasy, Couture is where Galliano excels, and my goodness, he might have just topped his own brilliance with this collection, if that is even possible. Our favorite was the brilliant turquoise necklace that was worn with a genius potato burlap coat adorned with colorful sequin and embroidery that was simple at the front and dramatic at the back.
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Maison Margiela Artisanal
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His footwear actually deserve a whole essay! A traditional pointed front with a circular thin mirrored heel, tied together in leather straps that made the shoes looks like it has its own propeller ready to fly off. Speaking of taking off, this collection left our head in the clouds!
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Chanel
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Casino Royale was the theme of the Chanel Haute Couture set from Tuesday’s show. The celebrities in attendance definitely outshined all the others so far (sorry Meg Ryan!). We have to hand it to Karl Lagerfeld, only he can pull off something as grand and extravagant as this. Throughout the collection, the designer showed a singular pair of architectural sling backs that resembled a tuxedo lapel with a curve heel. And to offset the semi-masculine accessory, he a single white Chanel camellia at the back of the hair. (Lest you forget whose house you’ve come to play in.)
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Chanel
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The modern bride with a single camillia.
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Atelier Versace
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Donatella Versace’s runway for the Atelier Versace show was made out of lucite and filled with 25,000 yellow and purple fresh orchids! The models were luxe boho hippies with crystal floral garlands around their heads. (Great for the rich and powerful hippie chicks of the world!) The look was very a Midsummer’s Night Dream meet Studio 54, especially if you consider the platform heels and boots, which gave the girls extra height so their dresses weren’t sweeping the floor. (How else are you expected to dance in those gowns?)
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Atelier Versace
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Crystal floral garlands, a view from behind.
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Atelier Versace
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Platform boots from Atelier Versace.
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Atelier Versace
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Platform sandals, dance floor approve!
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Dior
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Not to be outdone by Versace’s orchids, Dior’s artistic director Raf Simmons had a custom, plexiglass greenhouse built with panels that were hand-painted especially for the show! As for the shoe du jour at Dior? Glittering platform sandals. Dear Lord, please ask Raf to commercialize these dream shoes for they are dreamy beyond belief.
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Schiaparelli
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The house’s new creative director Bertrand Guyon showed his first collection for Schiaparelli on Monday and although there was no outrageous set, the fun accessories that came down the catwalk were definitely anything but dull! There were trinket crowns that could go head to head with Versace’s floral crystal adaptations, jewel-encrusted floral brooches, and clutch bags that were so cheeky that you wanted to run off with them. They took the shape of big brass manicured hands and old timey rotary dial telephones! Call us hooked.
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Schiaparelli
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Brass manicured hand clutch bag.
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Schiaparelli
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Letter clutch bag.
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Schiaparelli
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Dial my number?
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Ulyanna Sergeenko
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Inspired by the former Soviet’s communal apartments following the Russian downfall, Ulyanna Sergeenko’s collection echoed the former opulence of the country’s czars. Oversized orbs in rich jewel tones, ballerinas as fur pom pom bags, and satin embroidered ice cream cone bags with — what else? — fur as the sweet topping!
Ulyanna Sergeenko
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Ice cream cone and fur topping clutch bag.
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Giambattista Valli
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The floral explosion continued with Giambattista Valli’s Couture serving. The grand puff was there in all its voluminous glory so Rihanna can breathe a sigh of relief. Oversize fabric earrings embroidered with flowers and studded with crystals definitely stood out, oversized sunglasses with chunky crystals was the eyewear silhouette of choice, snake-like or super thin necktie in crystals necklaces were also in play as were spiky platform heels. (The latter helped the ladies balance the florals, embroidery and yards and yards of organza.) Can’t wait to see if Amal Clooney will wear any of the above to her next court appearance!
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Giambattista Valli
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Sexy Spiky Platfroms.
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Giambattista Valli
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Oversized jewel encrusted earrings.
Imax TreeHaute Couture week in Paris is wonderful, the schedule is a lot less calmer than ready-to-wear, the shows are a lot more extravagant, and the fashion is out of the world! So while only a smattering of editors attend these shows, there are still many incredible and fun pieces to ogle from afar. Here are some of the best accessories from the Haute Couture shows so far.
Related: Couture Cheat Sheet: 6 Designers to Know Now
Related: #LifeIWant: Chanel Haute Couture Gems
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