July marked a vital month for the fashion industry as the Fall Couture shows began. This month also marked a milestone for designers who were newly recognized for their artistry, while others were able to showcase designs in lavish ways with different locations and vibrant colors, all to create a tasteful ambiance for the audience. I caught up on most of the shows that happened throughout this month, but here are a few of my favorites.
- Iris van Herpen
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By combining arts and physics, van Herpen collaborated with Anthony Howe, a kinetic sculptor, to make creations that could be powered by wind. Van Herpen was able to mix Howe’s viewpoint and a Japanese “ink-on-water” technique, where these inputs made the pieces bright and delicate. The dresses represented the theme of nature, as some pieces after the ink-on-water technique resembled animal print. The collaboration of techniques made van Herpen’s collection more interesting to watch and allowed them to showcase the designs well.
- Valentino
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Valentino was recognized this season for holding the most colorful and diverse show of couture. This collection was derived on ideas of individualism and cultures; designer Pierpaolo Piccioli accomplished this by featuring flamboyant colors, ornamental hats and other elegant garments. In retrospect, compared to previous Valentino collections and shows I’ve seen, this is by far the most impressive one. The individualism theme represents Piccioli and his team’s hard work and artistry well and is a big reason why this is one of my top favorite shows from the season.
- Fendi
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As one of the first shows without Karl Lagerfeld, Silvia Venturini Fendi paid homage by including fur designs that allowed him to make his mark on the company. The collection has an elegant touch and each outfit was paired with a 70s bowl-style wig. From the evening gowns to the floor-length coats, each innovative design was showcased to their fullest potential by being set in Rome’s very own Colosseum.