FASHION

The Best Looks From the Paris Couture Fall 2019 Shows

by Lauren McCarthy

Givenchy : Runway - Paris Fashion Week - Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019/2020
Victor VIRGILE

While Stateside everyone spends the first week of July preparing for a long holiday weekend, full of barbecues, fireworks, and bikinis, over in Europe, there’s an entirely different celebration going on. Welcome to Paris Haute Couture, where the world’s biggest fashion houses present their most exquisite, hand-crafted wares in the City of Lights. This season, Dior kicked things off with a tribute to the brand’s Paris headquarters, which are soon-to-be renovated, while both Chanel and Schiaparelli welcomed new designers. Here, we dive into the best looks from all of the shows.

1Givenchy

Victor VIRGILE

Clare Waight Keller did not hold back on the drama when it came to Givenchy’s couture collection, with feathers adorning nearly every other look sent down the runway.

2Dior

Estrop

Welcome to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s goth period. With each look more moody and dark than the last, a perfectly draped velvet dress still stood out for it’s perfectly executed simplicity.

3Alexandre Vauthier

Dominique Charriau

Known to err on the side of ultra-sexy, this season, Alexandre Vauthier proved that you don’t need to show skin to turn heads with a number of takes on the classic suit.

4Ralph & Russo

CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT

What’s couture without a little (or a lot) of tulle? Ralph & Russo delivered on the red carpet dressing possibilities, including this vibrant red number.

5Giambattista Valli

Thierry Chesnot

Rather than hold a traditional runway show this season, Giamattista Valli opted for an intimate presentation instead to allow guests to see his craftwork up close. With pieces like this lavender gown dotting the space, it was a worthy decision.

6Armani Privé

Stephane Cardinale – Corbis

You can always count on Giorgio Armani to deliver the red carpet goods. Expect to see this sparkly black column gown come awards season.

7Chanel

Stephane Cardinale – Corbis

Presenting her first couture collection following the death of Karl Lagerfeld, Virginie Viard made the Chanel house proud with a library-set show that riffed on the brand’s traditional tweed.

8Maison Margiela

John Galliano is not one to shy away from the unconventional design, and the latest Maison Margiela was a testament to that. Still, there were plenty of wearable items to be found, including this hunter green coat.

9Iris van Herpen

Estrop

No one is the master of thinking in fashion in terms of shape and space quite like Iris van Herpen. Her latest collection was as much walking art as it was clothing.

10Viktor & Rolf

FRANCOIS GUILLOT

After last season’s statement-making (literally) collection, Viktor & Rolf reigned it in a bit for the new season, taking inspiration from the notion of glamour and casting spells. The celestial motifs were enchanting indeed.

11Valentino

Victor VIRGILE

Once again, Pierpaolo Piccioli put forth a show-stopping couture collection where even the most jaded fashion devotee could not help but be charmed by the combination of a saccharine pink turtleneck and matching feathered skirt.

12Elie Saab

Victor VIRGILE

Elie Saab’s gowns just keep getting bigger and bigger. This finale gown seemed fit for royalty—the headpiece also certainly helped.

13Schiaparelli

Victor VIRGILE

For Daniel Roseberry’s first show as the creative director of Schiaparelli, he gave the storied house a modern, yet still extremely glamorous look, evidenced by big shapes and cool metallic accents.

14Jean Paul Gaulthier

Peter White

You can’t help but adore the theatrics of a good, but no means boring suit. Who doesn’t want to be this woman?