Color Chronicles: Monsieur Christian Dior on Blue

Bleu de Chanel

"Among all the colors, navy blue is the only one which can ever compete with black. It has all the same qualities.

Pale blue is one of the prettiest colors, and if you have blue eyes no color is more becoming. Be careful when you are selecting a blue to see it both in daylight and electric light, because it changes very much."

- Monsieur Christian Dior

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2009 (left) & Prêt-à-Porter Fall 2009 (right)

Chanel (I want the middle military overcoat)

Lanvin for H&M

Dior Haute Couture gown & Lady Dior handbag

Fall Menswear 2011: Top Trends

Bottega Veneta (soft shoulder) & Corneliani (light grey)

With a classic, smart, and elegant look dominating most of the European runways, certain styles and trends were recurrent with appearances in several designer collections. The top trends of fall 2011, you ask? Light grey, soft-shoulder, vintage-corduroy, and long coats.

John Varvatos (soft shoulder) & Lanvin (light grey)

D&G & Louis Vuitton (vintage corduroy)

Giorgio Armani & Jean Paul Gaultier (long coats)

Couture Memories: Christian Dior Haute Couture A/W 2005

Joyeux Anniversaire, Monsieur Dior

In celebration of Monsieur Dior's 100th birthday, John Galliano delivered the utmost in dedication and respect for the legendary designer in his visually-striking 2005 autumn/winter haute couture presentation. Commencing with a highly sensational production, which includes a horse-led carriage preceded by a simulated lightning storm, Galliano's collection oozed with turn-of-the-century fashions mixed with the vibrancy of South American exploration. With theatrics ranging from audio featuring lovely French monologues, accented with the romance of 40's jazz, to the charming little boy at the beginning representing a young Dior, Galliano's tribute presentation evoked an honor of the absolute highest order which proclaimed:

Joyeux Anniversaire, Monsieur Christian Dior :)

Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2011

"Couture is a way to test yourself." - Maria Grazia Chiuri

Emitting vibes of insatiable romance blended with the sophistication of an elegant Greek goddess, the beauty and charm of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli's couture collection for Valentino was quite simply undeniable. Featuring a vivid affinity for pleated skirts, dresses, and blouses in a wonderful abundance of pastels and nudes, Valentino's famed romantic aesthetic was prominent on the couture runway. Rather pleasing to the eye in chiffon and organza, the gown section continued the clear admiration for the classic pleat which saw dresses exhibiting the flattering detail sway and flow as though infused with utter enchantment. If two simple words were to sum up this collection, one would say the pair must be: Pretty pleats.

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2011

Divinely Dior

Astounding is quite possibly the only referenced word that springs to mind when one views Galliano's incredible new spring 2011 collection for Christian Dior Haute Couture. With today being only day one of the Paris couture shows, John Galliano has single-handedly set the industry bar dramatically high once again with his unparalleled creations. The vibrant presentation featured a rather lovely abundance of tulle and voluminous fabrics set on cinched waistlines and crisp silhouettes utilizing colorful gradients to emphasize shadows. Prominent was the era-defining New Look with Galliano drawing inspiration from Monsieur Dior's own resident artist and fashion illustrator, René Gruau. Naturally, the show segued toward the stunning evening gown segment which exhibited Dior-invented A-line silhouettes and bow-featured waistlines on pleated dresses, both a clear and affectionate homage to Dior's revolutionary New Look.

Elegance. Extravagance. Sophistication. = Christian Dior

All photos courtesy of Women's Wear Daily