The Best, Most Stunning Looks From Couture
Photo: Imaxtree
The spring 2016 haute couture season wrapped Wednesday in Paris after a packed week full of intricate beadwork and volumes of tulle. In addition to spectacle (supermodels, homages to David Bowie), there were some fantastic feats of design. Couture clients with homes in Nice must have been pleased with the lightness in many of the silhouettes, while red-carpet stylists were surely delighted by the impressive handiwork presented on frocks that will photograph well.
From Chanel’s Zen-like lineup to the brilliant color at Valentino, these were dresses that inspire dreams. Click the slideshow below to see our favorite looks from the spring 2016 couture season.
While the house of Valentino is known for its bright crimson dresses, Wednesday's show suggested some new ideas. The golden velvet gown, its fabric pe...
While the house of Valentino is known for its bright crimson dresses, Wednesday's show suggested some new ideas. The golden velvet gown, its fabric perfectly pleated, trailed out after this amazing green brocade gown with an expertly designed bodice. Both stood out in a lineup of ethereal, light numbers.
Photo: Imaxtree
Also at Valentino, this capelike dress, in ivory brocade, had some of us wishing for another wedding go-round.
Photo: Imaxtree
For the more adventurous fans of fashion, and fabric, John Galliano's last look for Maison Margiela begs to be admired from both the front and back. I...
For the more adventurous fans of fashion, and fabric, John Galliano's last look for Maison Margiela begs to be admired from both the front and back. In lamé and lush brocade, the 3-D asymmetric form is like the most ornate origami ever. Photo: Imaxtree
Giambattista Valli trumps himself with each couture season, where voluminous tulle gowns in bold colors have become an expected finale. This season's ...
Giambattista Valli trumps himself with each couture season, where voluminous tulle gowns in bold colors have become an expected finale. This season's lineup did not disappoint, and while the red gown of monumental scale was popular on social media, the dove-gray gown was pleasantly refreshing to the eye.
Photo: Imaxtree
Another piece that stood out at Giambattista Valli was a beautiful long-sleeve sheer dress covered in floral embroidery and appliqués. It nodde...
Another piece that stood out at Giambattista Valli was a beautiful long-sleeve sheer dress covered in floral embroidery and appliqués. It nodded to medieval wardrobes with its empire-waist silhouette. Photo: Imaxtree
At Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci reminded us that couture is not just about big, airy gowns. His sleek, impeccably beaded evening dress looks like it was s...
At Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci reminded us that couture is not just about big, airy gowns. His sleek, impeccably beaded evening dress looks like it was sewn onto Lineisy Montero. With a cutout to showcase perfect upper abs, this one is ripe for the red carpet. (Jane Fonda, are you reading?)
One look at this embellished lace stunner and you can tell that Tisci is still feeling the lingerie vibes he designed for his spring 2015 Givenchy sho...
One look at this embellished lace stunner and you can tell that Tisci is still feeling the lingerie vibes he designed for his spring 2015 Givenchy show in New York.
Photo: Imaxtree
Crimped hair notswithstanding, the ethereal-pastel-gown memo was well received at Schiaparelli. Couture got to have some fun with the cheeky cherry on...
Crimped hair notswithstanding, the ethereal-pastel-gown memo was well received at Schiaparelli. Couture got to have some fun with the cheeky cherry on the bosom.
Photo: Imaxtree
The craftsmanship was easy to note at Chanel: There were gowns with elaborate beadwork and texture innovations, like this slim, woven fringed gown and...
The craftsmanship was easy to note at Chanel: There were gowns with elaborate beadwork and texture innovations, like this slim, woven fringed gown and feather tulle dress with cutouts (and tiny beaded bag).
Photo: Imaxtree
The finale at Chanel, the bridal exit worn by Mica Arganaraz, included a totally new marital idea from Karl Lagerfeld: a hoodie.
Photo: Imaxtree
Giorgio Armani loves to dress celebrities on the red carpet, and his couture outing offered many dresses he should try to place on Cate Blanchett or B...
Giorgio Armani loves to dress celebrities on the red carpet, and his couture outing offered many dresses he should try to place on Cate Blanchett or Brie Larson, like this flapper-y lilac slipdress.
Photo: Imaxtree
The Bar jacket's wasp waist is evoked in this look at Dior. The elongated bell sleeve is an idea that Raf Simons played around with last couture seaso...
The Bar jacket's wasp waist is evoked in this look at Dior. The elongated bell sleeve is an idea that Raf Simons played around with last couture season, but the spliced technique was a nice innovation.
Photo: Imaxtree
An injection from the youthful designers at Dior suggested a new look at couture: layering. The structured bustier top is freshened up when worn layer...
An injection from the youthful designers at Dior suggested a new look at couture: layering. The structured bustier top is freshened up when worn layered over a thin silk top in a bold, contrasting shade of poppy.
Photo: Imaxtree
Kudos to Aouadi for adding the notion of lace board shorts to the couture schedule. The tunic worn on top skews Victorian, keeping this look in a terr...
Kudos to Aouadi for adding the notion of lace board shorts to the couture schedule. The tunic worn on top skews Victorian, keeping this look in a territory that's a little safer than outright skater attire.
Photo: Aouadi
Elie Saab dresses royalty and nobles all over the world. I'd love to see this take on the shirtdress on a princess.
Photo: Imaxtree
We love Bouchra Jarrar for her killer pant silhouettes and affinity for luxurious motorcycle jackets. There were great trousers nodding to nautical fa...
We love Bouchra Jarrar for her killer pant silhouettes and affinity for luxurious motorcycle jackets. There were great trousers nodding to nautical fashion in the collection, but this sheer lace dress peeking out from underneath a mixed-media jacket with gold sleeves and an exaggerated fur collar was most memorable. (I also love that it was worn with heavy black boots).
Photo: Imaxtree
Jean Paul Gaultier's couture show proferred looks one might wear to a glitzy discotheque. After an uncountable number of gowns this season, the Hefner...
Jean Paul Gaultier's couture show proferred looks one might wear to a glitzy discotheque. After an uncountable number of gowns this season, the Hefner-esque sequined bathrobe looked desireable for a night out.
Photo: Imaxtree
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