A dazzling display of the couturiers' artistry!

Spring/Summer 2012 Haute Couture. This season once again offered collections rich with craftsmanship and quality. Making a powerful statement was Riccardo Tisci, who designs for Givenchy Haute Couture. Tisci is synonymous with baroque. One imagines grand stages with dripping candles, dresses trailing behind. This image comes to mind.

Presented in an old building on Place Vendôme, the ten new dresses showcased a bold yet delicate technique: crocodile skin meticulously cut and applied onto organza. Dresses adorned with layered beads and fringing were accessorized with crosses. These are dresses that are both delicate and dynamic.





Valentino competes with authentic beauty. This spring's trending lace and sherbet-toned prints are layered with complex techniques like smocking and embroidery, yet result in dresses with a sense of transparency. The pairing with menswear-inspired slip-ons felt refreshingly modern.