Spring 2017 Couture Collection Reviews Part 1
In a season where pre-fall overlapped the fall 2017 menswear collections which, in turn, overlapped the Spring 2017 Couture collections it has been a challenge to conquer and divide to bring your clear, relevant and timely notes on the presentations and what they portend for the upcoming RTW shows. So, excuse our delay in bringing you our point-of-view on the extraordinary collections that were presented as part of Spring 2017 Couture. But because of their foreshadowing of the trends that we can expect to see as the RTW collections begin, they make for the perfect introduction to the Fashion Week that is upon us.

Spring 2017 Couture Show Finale

Spring 2017 Couture Show Finale
Have you ever wondered what it takes to dress like a princess, oil baroness, or Mme. President? Lean in close and read on as we reveal their secrets. They shop haute couture collections from the top fashion houses and most exclusive designers in the world including familiar names like Chanel and Elie Saab as well as up and comers like Guo Pei. These pieces are so expensive that if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. But how can you create that same air of a diva pulling from the trends off the runways? How will the looks we see here affect the broader collections we will see in the next month of the fall 2017 collections? Easy…. and we’re here to break it down and serve up on a silver platter.

Chanel Spring 2017 Couture Show Finale

Chanel Spring 2017 Couture Show Finale

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture Spring 2017

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture
Spring 2017 Couture Collections A Breath Of Fresh Air
From rocker chic in metallic leather at Redemption, confident girl pant suits from Armani Privé to the softer side of romantic silhouettes including capes and bridal gowns at Zuhair Murad and Ulyana Sergenko key directions are emerging that will easily find a comfortable home in the upcoming Fall 2017 RTW collections. Just in time to hit the gym, the naked dress from Versace and the leggy miniskirt/long train combo from Stephan Rolland will inspire you to get fit. And forget about the exposed shoulder or strapless dresses and tops, puffy sleeves and oversized portrait collars are where it’s according to the Haute Couture vision at Redemption and Xuan. Still, there were those exceptional touches that tickle the imagination as Haute Couture is intended to do such as the fantastical embellishments that make the looks at Schiaparelli the stuff of dreams.

Redemption Couture Spring 2017

Redemption

Redemption

Redemption

Redemption

Redemption

Redemption

Redemption

Redemption

Armani Privé Spring 2017 Couture Collection

Armani Privé Couture

Armani Privé Couture

Armani Privé Couture

Armani Privé Couture

Armani Privé Couture

Armani Privé Couture

Armani Privé Couture

Zuhair Murad

Zuhair Murad

Zuhair Murad Spring 2017 Couture Collection

Zuhair Murad

Zuhair Murad Couture Spring 2017

Zuhair Murad

Zuhair Murad

Zuhair Murad

Ulyana Sergeenko Couture Spring 2017

Ulyana Sergeenko

Ulyana Sergeenko

Ulyana Sergeenko

Ulyana Sergeenko

Ulyana Sergeenko

Ulyana Sergeenko

Ulyana Sergeenko

Atelier Versace Couture Spring 2017

Stéphane Rolland Couture Spring 2017

Xuan Couture Spring 2017

Xuan Couture

Xuan Couture
There were seven strong trends that emerged and, over a three part series, we’ll break ‘em down and fast track you with the highlights of the best of couture fashion. And here we go with the first of these key trends….
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Marabou feathers adorned everything from sleeves, to capes and boas. This has been a fabric trend on dress hems for the few past seasons, but the feathers are moving north to become a face-framing soft touch. Chanel used it most generously. Perhaps it was an ode to the feather wearing maven, Za Za Gabor, but little restraint was used for Chanel’s after-five pieces. Ralph and Russo took this trend and added it to a floor length cape in snow white – a true vision of beauty as the soft wind swept through the feathers. Giambattista Valli did a lovely job using soft, white rabbit fur to trim bolero jackets that gave the same plush effect.

Chanel Couture Spring 2017 Collection

Chanel Couture Spring 2017

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Armani Privé

Armani Prive

Guo Pei Couture Spring 2017

Ralph Russo Couture

Ralph Russo

Giambattista Valli Couture Spring 2017

Giambattista Valli Couture

Giambattista Valli Couture

Giambattista Valli Couture

Giambattista Valli Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab Couture
ROMANTIC REVIVAL
The trend for romance and nostalgia continued with a wide offering of bridal gown designs and cape toppers. From Ralph and Russo, Chanel, Alexis Mabille, and Rami Kadi, few of the shows did NOT include this concept. Galia Lahav came on strong with an illusion sheath and full train in pale ivory. It was so sexy it would make your priest blush but, worn at a black tie gala, you’d be the talk of the town. Another show-stopping bridal silhouette came from Guo Pei. Not one to shy away from drama, Pei put forth a cocoon style head piece and matching gown that turned heads coming and going. If your New Year’s resolution is to get hitched, there’s plenty to pick from and, if not, well, you might want to put this trend on your vision board.

Ralph and Russo Couture

Chanel Couture

Alexis Mabille Couture Spring 2017

Alexis Mabille Couture Spring 2017

Rami Kadi Couture Spring 2017

Rami Kadi

Rami Kadi

Rami Kadi

Rami Kadi

Rami Kadi

Ralph and Russo Couture Spring 2017

Ralph and Russo Couture

Atelier Versace

Chanel Couture

Chanel Couture

Giambattista Valli Couture

Giambattista Valli Couture

Ralph and Russo Couture

Zuhair Murad Couture
The cape was another special and widely used touch by many of the designers. From clean, crisp and classic ivory at Valentino to sparley beaded variety at Armani Privé, the cape is a simple addition to your wardrobe that gives you anything but a simple reaction.

Valentino Couture

Armani Prive Couture

Schiaparelli Spring 2017 Couture
More of the key trends from Haute Couture to come…..