NYC Couture Council Set to Honor Valentino

Valentino Garavani

On September 7, the Couture Council of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology plans to honor legendary couture designer Valentino Garavani with a coveted award celebrating his artistic vision in fashion design. The accolade, for Artistry of Fashion, has previously been awarded to the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Alber Elbaz, Dries Van Noten, Isabel Toledo, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Rucci.

For nearly five decades, Valentino has designed some of the world's most coveted haute couture gowns and subsequently dressed icons such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Grace Kelly, and Daphne Guinness. Renowned for his romantic aesthetic in design, with a prominent affection for passionate reds and lovely roses, Valentino's house is one of the four foreign members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

Valentino has since retired from design in 2008.

Designer Profile: Viktor & Rolf

"For us, fashion is an antidote to reality." - Viktor & Rolf

Names: Viktor Horsting & Rolf Snoeren

Born: Both in 1969.

Birthplace: Viktor: Geldrop, Netherlands / Rolf: Dongen, Netherlands

Nationality: Dutch

House Inception: 1993, Milan, Italy

Debut Haute Couture Collection: January 1998

Title: Couturiers

Labels: Viktor & Rolf (Prêt-à-Porter, Haute Couture 1998-2000), Viktor & Rolf Monsieur (menswear division), Viktor & Rolf Parfums, Viktor & Rolf Eyewear.

Education: Both met while studying at the Arnhem Academy of Art & Design in The Netherlands

Inspirations: The duo have stated inspirations are drawn from dreams which are brought to fruition through the art of fabric and design. Renowned for their concept-driven shows, Viktor & Rolf's runway presentations deliver incredibly intricate designs through the deconstruction of fragile fabrics such as tulle and chiffon. The duo is also quite keen advocates of a-symmetrical designs.

Classifications: Haute couture (For the few years of 1998-2000, Viktor & Rolf were invited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to be corresponding guest members), prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear), menswear, accessories, beauty & fragrance, eyewear.

Clients: Cheryl Cole, Tilda Swinton, Roisin Murphy

Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2011

Is this considered "Chanel"?

One may think Karl Lagerfeld has lost any sort of remote inspiration when viewing his latest couture collection for the legendary house of Chanel. With ridiculous takes on classic tweed pieces horribly disfigured with ghastly metallic detailing, and even what appeared to be shower-curtain inspired dresses, the collection begs the question: can one genuinely blame any naysayers? Employing tired and boring models under a soundtrack of rather uninspiring proportions, Monsieur Lagerfeld has presented an utter disappointment and disaster in the name of couture and of Chanel.

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