Saint Hill Von Basedow

For my second show, I went to an off-schedule couture production by Saint Hill & Von Basedow. It was all about asymmetric shapes. Huge folds, drapes and tucks created meringue-like peaks in the skirts. Bodices were shown in a variety of colours: hot pink accented with jewelledyellow, and pale mint green complimented by powder blue.

Unusually, the duo opted for an update of the duchess look with short, thigh-skimming versions. So the volume was intense and striking. Evidently strong pattern-cutters, most of the garments looked like they had developed on the stand, as the shapes were vast, yet well thought-out and executed. Bodice styles varied from strapless to the current, trendy, one-shoulder silhouette. The collection definitely had a period feel, as the dresses were complimented by tailored Capri pants and cropped sleeve jackets reminiscent of the 18th century.
With each music change, the collection developed and reformed, and although silhouettes were uniform throughout, each piece was unique. Block colours developed into print, with the colours being combined to create a floral print that referenced stately home decor in its style.
The final stage of the show concentrated on glitz and glam, with dresses decorated with intricate beading detail. This was worked into pleats, folds and carefully moulded bodices.

Like all good couture shows, the final piece was the wedding dress, which was met with great applause. And with that I fled Paris to return to gloomy, but creative, London. Au revoir!

Runway Roundup: Yun Ju Ko (Kate)

I think Jill and I were at odds on this collection, but I'm already a devoted fan! The colour palette of toffee, caramel creams, lemon and blue hues was really beautiful. Cutting of the collection was outstanding, with well structured, paneled jackets that hugged the model perfectly met with high waisted trousers that in soft fabrics, simply stunning, could be a perfect evening wear alternative to an LBD. Chiffon and silk were draped, deconstructed and manipulated to create dresses of volume, detail and great interest - certainly an eye-catching collection. Shapes were new and innovative, and the asymmetric dress is definitely now a lynch pin to the fashionistas way of dressing. Soft pleats and folds in clever fabric combinations meant that this collection really stood out. There was so much work in each piece that I was floored by the cutting skills displayed here. My favourite pieces would definitely include the high-waisted trousers, which would be drooled over by many a fashionably lady, and the empire-line dresses that would look at home at any glitzy premiere. I'm keeping an eye on this one!