Chanel's Garden Setting, Valentino's Secret Garden Theme

For the Spring/Summer 2013 Haute Couture season, many designers created garden settings for their shows.



Chanel transformed the vast Grand Palais into a forest floor, covered in sand. Models emerged onto the stage wearing dresses in white, black, and bicolor, paired with lace leggings. A key feature was what designer Karl Lagerfeld called "frame shoulders," a distinct shoulder line that fell off the shoulder like a boat neck.






The I-line dresses and evening gowns were adorned with delicate floral embroidery and prints, such as poppies and marguerites, as well as lace. The bold eyeliner and strong eye makeup evoked the image of an alluring forest fairy.

©CHANEL

Valentino presented their collection with the theme "Secret Garden." It wasn't just delicate and gentle; dresses featuring bold, graphical embroidery with thick cords conveyed a strong, modern impression. Despite their simple designs, the exquisite craftsmanship was evident in the variations of techniques used, layering multiple sheets of organza and incorporating lace and embroidery, showcasing the full allure of couture. The contrasting lace dresses in brown, black, and white were particularly striking.