Harper's Bazaar Arabia

104 |Harper’s BAZAAR|September 2014

KRISTY SPAROW/GETTY IMAGES. JASON LLOYD-EVANS. MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

CHANEL

Paris’ Grand Palais was once again

transformed into Karl Lagerfeld’s

wonder world. This time the setting

was more pared back than previous

shows, just a virtual fi replace and

glass mirror hanging over a

mantelpiece as a backdrop to

Chanel’s A/W14 creations. This

season it was a Charles Dickens-

inspired affair, with frock coats, short

suits and caps worn at the back of

models’ quiffed hair dos. In true

Chanel style, though, pieces were

heavily embroidered or appliquéd to

create the classic luxury and beauty

of a Chanel couture show.

NEWS

The

ARMANI

PRIVÉ

With a front row that read like the who’s who of

Hollywood – Kate Hudson, Jared Leto, Juliette

Binoche and Chloë Grace Moretz – Giorgio

Armani delivered a couture show with clout. Out

of a black lacquer set came an explosion of siren

red, black and white looks, all with subtle nods to

Japan. Our favourite look? The sequin-drenched,

tiered rouge gown complete with polka dot veil.

It was the fi rst time in a hundred years

that a British brand showed in Paris

for couture and it was all about

old-world sensibilities. Shimmering

crystal and pearl embellishments

were perfect for Arabia’s most

glamorous events. And for weddings?

The designers transformed Middle

Eastern model Hanaa Ben Abdesslem

into the blushing bride complete with

a six-metre train, which took 2,200

hours to embellish.

RALPH

& RUSSO

Something of a departure from

the normal grandeur of couture

materials, Maison Martin Margiela

played with bottle tops and coins

sourced from Paris’ fl ea markets to

create its collection. There was also

heavy embroidery and luxe silks

with an almost Oriental feel, while

sequin-encrusted lobster dresses

made for a very Margiela statement.

MAISON

MARTIN

MARGIELA