This is my first time knowing about Gaurav Gupta; An Indian fashion designer who launched his brand back in 2006.
Little did I know, he has been showcasing in Paris Haute Couture since 2023. This collection is called Across the Flame – the start of the show began with his wife Navkirat Sodhi (also a poet and his muse) speaking about a fire that erupted in Gaurav’s atelier. His wife was severely burned and Gaurav Gupta suffered burns trying to put of the flames. The doctors only gave his wife a 50% chance of living. The collection was inspired by their experience.
I love his use of sculptural designs; he used gravity defying drapes- it made it look so surreal yet captivating to me. The futuristic detail on some of the headpieces was chef’s kiss! I also noticed his use of embellishments creating a three-dimensional effect. His designs are so unique.
In my overall opinion, what I took from this collection was an emotional yet personal story that showed survival, resilience and a rebirth.
Georgio Armani has been showcasing designs for many years. But this year it is special because its one to celebrate marking 50 years down the runway. If you didn’t know Georgio Armani Prive is the Haute Couture line for Georgio Armani. This collection has a classic elegance while balancing modernity. Each piece is a work of art. The tailored gowns are sleek yet sophisticated with intricated details like the handcrafted embellishments. The crisscross drapery technique used is remarkable- please note that this method is shaping the fabric by hand into folds, I have always been fascinated when a designer can excel in this skill as it’s a time consuming, yet it adds value. There is one garment that I questioned. “What was it composed of?” It was the purple metallic possibly with a sheer fabric; it made it look like a luxury liquid fabric. It was astounding. My opinion overall of this collection is exquisitely everlasting as it’s brand.
Paris Haute Couture Spring officially started on 01/27/25. When I view fashion shows- I put myself as a stylist. And I ask myself, “Who would wear this piece, where would they wear it? and will it be on the best dress list?” Then I make my decision accordingly. These are my selections from the collections that attract my personal admiration.
SCHIAPARELLI
Elegance, elegance, elegance. I’ll keep this simple – as I would love you to check out the piece Daniel Roseberry wrote on Schiaparelli.com/en I love the fact the designer had the time to write about the collection and connect with the reader/viewer. This collection called Icarus, reminded me of the silhouette’s I studied in my college Fashion History class of the 1920’s and 30’s. Away with the over stalked clothing as less is more. The colors worn were inspired by ribbons that were hidden away when Germany invaded France. The use of butter, saffron, very light colors are appealing to the eye. A round of applause is needed for the ateliers as each of the garments down the runway were created in a seamless effect – truly remarkable.
GEORGES HOBEIKA
STUNNING- You should hear me behind this screen, “WOW-how beautiful!” Let’s talk about the embroidery the craftmanship- the attention to details Georges Hobeika has done in this collection. Standing ovation on my behalf! My selection had to be done in two because that’s how much garments I can see styled on a celebrity. Let me tell you, if you aren’t aware Beyonce, Lily collins, Cardi B are a few to name that have worn Georges Hobeika. A little backstory about the designer, he is a Lebanese fashion designer and has been showcasing his collections in Paris for over a decade. As I was researching on this collection, I was taken back to learn that this collection was a tribute to his mother and grandmother who passed away last year. If you look at the beginning of the runway you can notice 3 model’s wearing running mascara down their face. The color choices began with black much like a somber feel, then transition to colors of blues, greens, reds, purple, pink and then to an abundance of refreshing lights of golds, silvers to white. This collection spoke without words and its impact was heavenly.