<
-
Dramatic blood-red gowns on the catwalk, billowing fur coats in the audience: at the haute couture shows in Paris on Monday the super-rich defied the economic crisis in extravagant style.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
Luxury executives have cut costs and jobs due to falling sales, but the message of new modesty has yet to reach the jet-setting crowd admiring wasp-waisted sunshine yellow and pale blue dresses at Dior and tasseled suits at Armani Prive.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
Designers must meet a strict set of criteria to enter the exclusive club of haute couture, which has just admitted a new, 12th member -- Stephane Rolland.WhoWore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
"Haute couture is unique," said Ellen Olivier de Vezin, a former public relations executive who came from California to see Rolland's show of geometric black, white and red dresses.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
"The skills that go into haute couture are disappearing and it's a privilege to buy these clothes," she added.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
The select few who nabbed front row seats at the Dior show echoed that love of craftsmanship and fine material.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
Tottering across the cobblestone courtyard at the Musee Rodin where the show was held, they challenged the global downturn with big hair, big furs and big sunglasses.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
"Sometimes I get surprised, you hear there is a crisis but you still see people shopping," said a Jordanian Dior client, queuing in front of the sun-streaked facade of the museum.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
"When you want something exclusive, you have to go to haute couture. My daughter is getting married and I want a dress specially made for her -- and for myself, and sisters and family," said the client, who did not want to be named.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
FEWER MODELSHowever, there were fewer models than usual in the show, a sign that even the very top, where dresses can easily cost upward of 30,000 euros ($39,430), is perhaps feeling the economic chill.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
Luxury brands tend to lose money or just about break even on their haute couture collections. But the celebrity-studded shows and flamboyant gowns generate buzz and priceless advertising for more affordable products, such as perfumes and accessories.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
Armani Prive gave a nod to new markets with Chinese-inspired red tassels on purple and silver dresses and jackets. Up-turned cuffs and hems peaked skywards like the roofs of Chinese pagodas.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
"If you react to the crisis, you can't produce high fashion," Italian designer Giorgio Armani told Reuters after the show. "High fashion is like watching a beautiful film, it belongs to a different world."Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
Dior designer John Galliano was just as happy to take a holiday from reality.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
His pink and red silk gowns with tight bodices exploded into voluminous silk and floral-print skirts and would not have looked out of place at a garden party thrown by Marie Antoinette. A soundtrack of chansons by First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy rounded off the carefree mood.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
-
"The theatrics speak to me as a showgirl," burlesque dancer Dita von Teese told Reuters after the show. "It is good to know there are other people who appreciate this kind of thing -- beading, rhinestone, feathers."Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
1
16
Dramatic blood-red gowns on the catwalk, billowing fur coats in the audience: at the haute couture shows in Paris on Monday the super-rich defied the economic crisis in extravagant style.Who Wore It Best: America vs. Kelly?Gisele is New Face of RampageThe Truth About Septicemia, the Disease that Killed Model Mariana Bridi da Costa
Photo: Photo: Getty Images/Text: Reuters
