Haute Couture Fall 2007: Dior, Chanel, Lacroix and More!

Paris Haute Couture is a unique experience. It was a breathless week – viewing the crème-de-la-crème creations from the most famous fashion houses in the world.

The week started off with Dior. It was a great thrill to be among the select group to celebrate the 60th anniversary ball at the L’Orangerie at the Château de Versailles. The event called for extreme elegance. One saw everything from long gowns to funky black tie. My American friends, Ellen Olivier de Vezin and her husband Ned and Pat Rossignol and I went together with my forever favorite and trustworthy driver Bernard Vitrey.

At Château de Versailles with Pat Rossignol and Ellen Olivier de Vezin

While it was a long trek to get to the L’Orangerie, it was well worth the trip. The event was spectacular as only Dior can create. The midsummer’s night dream was decorated with animal classic statues, hydrangeas spilling out of urns, and silver greenery in the sandy stone vaults. It was a bit chilly that evening but tents with heating lamps were set up to keep the guests warm.

John Galliano is a genius. The show was incredibly romantic. Models from Linda Evangelista to Naomi Campbell and Amber Valletta dressed in the spirit of artists and photographers Dior knew as friends over the 60 years.

It was truly a feast for the eyes. What I saw on the runway were outrageous yet magnificent works of art – but wear them? or store them? It would be difficult in a New York City apartment. But that’s not the point of Haute Couture. It’s John Galliano’s inspiration that trickles down to the prêt-à-porter. However, the idea of Haute Couture is to have something custom made – if one is so inclined, you can have a dress made by John Galliano that may not look like anything you see in the show. That’s my dream.

After the show there was a fabulous dinner and dancing where the personalities and stars were all in attendance. The galaxy of superstars at the event included Monica Bellucci, Sofia Coppola, Charlize Theron, and Eva Green. To fête the summer spirit, Sofia Coppola was wearing a stunning short pink dress.

Linda Fargo and Cecilia Dean

Sofia Coppola

I saw Erica and James Baxter and congratulated them on their marriage.  See their wedding pictures on my post, Eva and Tony’s Wedding.  At the VIP room, I joined Georgina Brandolini, one of the women in my book, Chic in Paris. It was great to catch up with Georgina, as I don’t see her often.

Georgina Brandolini

Irina Lazareanu, Lily Cole, Helena Christensen, and Angela Lindvall in the VIP room at the after-party

John Galliano

Other notables at the VIP room were Stephen Schwarzman, Chairman and CEO of the Blackstone Group, and Yves Carcelle, Director General of Louis Vuitton, and his lovely wife Rebecca.

Stephen Schwarzman, Chairman and CEO of the Blackstone Group

With Yves Carcelle, Director General of Louis Vuitton, his wife Rebecca

As I was about to leave, it was a thrilling moment for me as John Galliano rushed into the room surrounded by bodyguards. I was able to grab his attention for a few minutes to congratulate him for his imagination and intoxicating creativity.

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld, another genius in fashion never fails to move me. Every time I go by the store windows – I just can’t believe that the white blouse, black skirt and pearls says it all. (Again when I was leaving Paris this time I passed the window and just wanted to cry.) It’s hard to explain – no one else in the world can do it again and again keeping it the same but changing it. I guess that’s the enigma of French chic — and Karl Lagerfeld defines chic. Chanel is ageless and timeless – it’s how you wear it, accessorize it or don’t. It’s the ineffable mystery of his genius and the legend of Chanel.

His show also took place outside of the city, in the Parc de Saint-Cloud, a magnificent spot. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperative, however, it did not dampen my spirits or enthusiasm to appreciate the beauty of his wearable Haute Couture collection.

Karl’s Libertine party took place later in the week, a festive fête at his home on the rue de l’Université. It was another incredible experience – more casual than Dior but equally as exciting. Limousines blocked the rue de l’Université as the beautiful people and VIP creatures of fashion gathered for the prestigious evening hosted by Dom Perignon and Karl Lagerfeld. Before moving from his hotel particulier, the designer transformed his home into a temple of fashion accents à la Libertine.

Jude Law and Ralph Feinnes were amongst the crowd, and I saw many friends in the fashion world:

With Ria Augousti and Fabrizio Rollo

The Libertines

Stylist Benjamin Galopin and friend

Wearing Comme des Garçons, with Alexis Mabille, Benjamin Galopin and friends outside of Karl Lagerfeld's home

Backstage with Christian Lacroix

Christian Lacroix

I always look forward to Lacroix’s Haute Couture because it is truly a place where he can best unleash his creativity. With Lacroix, you can really see the uniqueness of Haute Couture. The colors, the details, and all the work that goes into making one of his creations is so evident. At first, as I was watching the show, I thought it was a bit theatrical. I was so mesmerized I couldn’t really absorb it all. It was only when I took a step back and reviewed my photos could I really see the how amazing he is.

Here are some of my personal favorites:

Attending the show with me again is Ellen Olivier de Vezin, wearing Lacroix Haute Couture.  I am wearing Lanvin and Christian Louboutin shoes.

At Christian Lacroix with Ellen Olivier de Vezin

Christian Lacroix with Bride

Givenchy

Riccardo Tisci, is a relatively new designer to Givenchy. After the show I talked with Suzy Menkes, of the International Herald Tribune, and Susan Gutfreund. We all agreed, “Riccardo has ideas.”  His collection was a more modern departure from the classic Givenchy we know from the past. While I didn’t care for his evening clothes, I thought the soft beige suits and leopard jackets and pants were very chic.

Armani Privé

Giorgio Armani is now a permanent fixture in the Haute Couture calendar. In this collection there is a new twist to his work. Since the January Haute Couture, he has broken through his typical classic design – and while I am not a frequent buyer of Armani, I must admit I saw a few exceptional dresses.

After the show I bumped into Camilla Belle – looking fresh and beautiful in a black and white dress from Armani. Camilla and I talked about our hectic travel schedules. Camilla will be studying at Columbia University this Fall.

Backstage at Armani Privé with Camilla Belle

New Discoveries: Avalon Vega and Cyril Mothe

Avalon Vega

I discovered Avalon Vega from my friend Olivier Chatenet, designer for E2. Olivier knew I would fall in love with the collection by two new designers, Samuel François (Fashion Editor from Numéro) and Daniel Fumaz.  Olivier was indeed correct. I see these talented young new designers with much promise. Their retro look was a welcomed departure from the usual trends one sees from many fashion houses these days.

Here are some of my favorites:

Before the Avalon Vega show with Philip Utz of Numéro and Olivier Chatenet

Cyril Mothe

I spent an afternoon with jewelry designer Cyril Mothe in his atelier near the place Vendôme. Cyril is intense and passionate about his work. His talent goes beyond just making jewelry. He is also an event planner and he showed me a video of a wedding he planned for an Arab princess. I was impressed.  Cyril has some of the most interesting ideas in jewelry that I have seen in a long time. He combines diamonds and precious gems with fabrics and feathers. Here we are in his atelier. I am wearing one of his creations.

With Cyril Mothe in his Paris atelier

More Parties

Bastille Day – July 14 – most Parisiennes leave town for the holiday weekend. I stayed for the most divine dinner party hosted by Princess Milena de Liechtenstein and Stephane Ruffier-Meray. The Princess lives in a fabulous apartment near Invalides where we were able to watch the fireworks from her apartment.

Here are some photos of this lovely evening:

With Stephane Ruffier-Meray and Princess Milena de Liechtenstein

With Sylvia Sermenghi, Princess Milena de Liechtenstein, Stephane Ruffier-Meray and Georgina Grandpierre

Crazy Horse

Here I am wearing dress and jacket by Chanel, scarf by Hèrmes, clutch by R&Y Augousti, and shoes by Christian Louboutin standing outside of Crazy Horse.  Some friends invited me to the last performance of the cabaret. It was a wonderful show – beautiful girls, lights, music. It will reopen in its newly renovated state this Fall.

Le Baron Nightclub

Arianna, PR for Pershing Hall and Cedric, owner of Ginger restaurant, 11 rue de la Tremoille

And last but not least, I must mention the Bristol Hotel, my home in Paris. The Bristol has an understated chic quality and the staff is superlative. They have a fabulous pool on the terrace where you can relax and take in the views or swim as I do. In late Fall, the hotel will open with 48 new suites and new restaurant – a desperately needed addition to the 8th arrondissement.  I look forward to returning to the Bristol for the prêt-à-porter in October.

The garden at Hôtel le Bristol, Paris

Like all good Parisians, I’m leaving town for my summer holiday. Next up … Istanbul and Saint Tropez.

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