Haute Couture Diary, Day 4: Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, Viktor & Rolf

Couture comes to a close! It’s been a whirlwind week with the world’s most magnificent clothing walking the runways of Paris. Fashion editor-at-large and stylist Sofia Achaval de Montaigu takes us front row at Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Viktor & Rolf before winding down the week with a covetable ticket to a bash for U.K.-based cult interior and fashion mag Cabana.

Elie Saab

Today started with Elie Saab in the Pavillon Cambon Capucines on the rue Cambon. I arrived at the show just before it began—there was a lot of traffic and it was impossible to go anywhere in an Uber. Paris becomes crazy during Couture week.

I sat next to Julia Von Boehm and just before the show started we were chatting about how we just wanted to wear sneakers for the last day of fashion week. We felt so tired after running around to all the shows and parties.

The show had a medieval feeling, like Game of Thrones. The models were like queens and princesses (not unlike Elie Saab’s clientele) in lots of capes, small golden crowns, and beautiful golden embroideries. My favorite look was the regal bridal gown, adorned with threads of gold with two little girls in similar dresses that were carrying her cape. I also loved a light blue dress with a very big satin silk cape. It was so romantic and dreamy.

Jean Paul Gaultier

From there, I went to the Gaultier show. Girls in Gautlier’s iconic Breton striped T-shirts opened waited for us in the entrée to give us our seating. it was beautiful to see. Every sitting area had the name of a ski resort: Gstaad, Cortina D’Ampezzo, etc. That gave us the feeling of what the show was going to be about.

The curtains opened and we could see snow falling from behind. The girls wore uber chic Haute Couture looks made for the snow and to go skiing: long hair fur boots, gloves, hats and beautiful dresses. Carla Bruni was there and I chatted for a while with Catherine Baba, who always has such amazing style. Her friend congratulated me for wearing a sparkling sequined red dress from Saint Laurent and said it was nice to finally see some glamour at fashion week.

My favorite look was a red dress made of tulle with a veil covering her head, red leggings, and red stilettos.

The fun part was when a little boy, dressed in a red and white sweater and a wool hat, walked the runway and Coco Rocha came out on a bike with Frozen as the soundtrack. We all felt like we were watching a play more than a fashion show, it was spectacular!

Photos courtesy of Sofia Achaval de Montaigu

Viktor & Rolf

This show was completely original and more like an art piece or art performance. The lights went out and we couldn’t see anything but the glow of smartphones. One of the models came out with a very interesting look: She was wearing a balloon head of a character that was repeated throughout the first-half of the show but with different hair colors and different skin tones. The clothes were amazingly well-constructed and each look was paired with Doc Martens, which is not the kind of thing you see often at Haute Couture.

For the second part of the show, the models took away the big heads and the show went on. It was mostly about the coats, which were art pieces. It was such a great idea.

Photos courtesy of Sofia Achaval de Montaigu

Cabana Magazine Party

Then I stopped by the opening of the pop-up store of Cabana magazine at The Hotel Bristol. Cabana is a magazine from London that focuses on interior design, lifestyle, buildings, and other luxuries. At the corner of the pop-up, it felt like you were in a room of a beautiful home. You could buy evening clutches from a collaboration between Olympia Le-Tan and Cabana, as well as bracelets, bags, and many other things for the house.

I chatted with Yaz Bukey, the jewelry designer. She was going to the opening of a new brand called Da Da that makes masculine suits for women. I love this idea.

And that was the end of fashion week! We are all tired but excited to have seen so many beautiful things. Couture is like a dream.