Paris Haute Couture Week autumn/winter 2014 blog

Raf's in harmony at Dior
Two years into his gig as High Command at Dior, the Belgian designer Raf Simons appears to have marshalled all the disparate troops at his disposal - from the scores of "petites mains" who craft all the clothes by hand in the ateliers, to the fathomless Dior archives - and have them all working in perfect harmony. There was archival history galore here. Embroidered silk frock coats, sweeping ball skirts and melting fondant colours could all be said to be Dior tropes. But Simons is now sufficiently confident to put his own stamp on them.

Dior's orchid dream
Try counting the number of whiter-than-white orchids at Dior's presentation at your own cross-eyed peril. Creative director Raf Simons decked the Musée Rodin out in the purist of petals to match the pale confections of his autumn/winter 2014 Haute Couture collection. The result? The most beautiful snow globe we have ever seen.

Photo: Instagram/@miroduma

America's new power couple hit Paris
In case you hadn't noticed, Charlize Theron and Sean Penn are now officially joined at the hip. The duo let Dior's front row bask in the honey glow of their California tan before skipping off into the romantic city of Paris for more canoodling. See more stars at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week here

Photo: Twitter: @Dior

Just look at lost lamb Penn lingering behind his partner during the mammoth pre-show photo sessions. Awww!

Photo: AFP

IN PICTURES: Celebrities at Paris Haute Couture Week

Fantasy bridal wear
On Aura Tout Vu's take on a bridal gown, with it's icicle-covered shoulders and jumpsuit is part snow queen, part disco-diva. As fantastical as it looks, it's actually a rather practical and versatlile invesment.

On Aura Tout Vu's warriors
Looking like futuristic characters from Game of Thrones, On Aura Tout Vu's collections never fail to disappoint

Zahia's make-under
Zahia Dehar - she of curvy, caramel-coloured skin and French footballers' underage prostitute fame - has revealed something of a discreet, new look at the shows (not to be confused with Dior's New Look of 1947!). She's already been to two in as many days (Versace and Schiaparelli - never had her down as a fan of the latter, but hey ho) and has swapped the obscene necklines for something more demure, as well as cutting back on the eyelash extensions. Here's hoping the new lingerie designer puts on one of her almighty spectacles this week...

Photos: AP/ Getty

Schiaparelli's second collection has lift-off
Creative director Marco Zanini appears to have found a joyous chic that's all the more elegant for hovering half-way between the late Elsa Schiaparelli's playful absurdism and her severe angularity. The vast Schiaparelli shoulders associated with the 1940s were there, in the form of jewelled mini boleros, but whip them off, and beneath were sinuous marron glace smooth satin bias cut dresses that looked effortless and light. Read the full report here

Photos: Isidore Montag

Sunday, July 6

Hirsute heroine
Wow, top model Maria Carla Boscono has got a lot of facial hair!!
...But hang on a minute - those are her false eyelashes strategically places. So we can confirm that the Spanish Super is perfect afterall.

Picture: Instagram

Jen's team hit the front row
Without a man currently in her life, and her twin children no doubt at school, stage diva Jennifer Lopez filled the front row at Versace with her 'team'. We can imagine the organisers frantically ordering their most loyal oligarch customers to the back row just to make way for erm, Jen's PA and make-up re-applier.

Picture: Instagram

Wondering what the dress-trouser hybrid is that Jenny from the block is wearing? We investigate the confusing 'tress' here

Gaudy glitziness at Versace
The big show of Sunday evening was undoubtedly Versace, where perfectly waxed crotches were on show and asymmetry ruled the design roster. Looks like Angelina's right leg might me making a comeback... Read the full show report on Telegraph Luxury

Photos: Isidore Montag

Stephanie Coudert's debut
Up-and-coming French designer Stephanie Coudert, 39, showed her first Haute Couture on Sunday evening, a dream come true for the label which serves just 30 private clients from its small boutique in Belleville.

Photo: Getty
Her creations caught the name of an unnamed investor last year, which has allowed her to show on the schedule. She triumphed with her structured tailoring and languid separates

Photos: AP/ AFP

Via: Paris Haute Couture Week autumn/winter 2014 blog