Couture season is always filled with an artistry we rarely witness during the ready-to-wear shows. Maybe that’s because most of these gowns take hours to prepare and cost thousands of dollars to create.

The Couture shows give top name fashion houses an opportunity to showcase their finest work. This season 303 Magazine is giving you our top five shows. From the simplicity seen at Valentino to exaggerated art over at  Maison Martin Margiela, there’s no denying that this Couture season is on-point.

Valentino

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli kept it simple over at Valentino. Straight forward prints and easy going dresses made us dream of 19th century Rome. Each garment was accompanied by gladiator sandals calling for casual days. Flowy shifts echoed romanticism while hand painted silk organza kept true to Valentino quality.

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Valentino Couture Fall 2014 – All Images Courtesy of Vogue.com

 

Atelier Versace Couture Fall 2014

Atelier Versace

 

Donatella Versace did not play games with her most recent collection. Exaggerated shoulders, metal hardware, and fringe for days showed us that you can look both good and tough. Heavy set dresses contrasted with open slits gave the couture season some sex appeal. While some of the fabrics seemed overly heavy, they worked well with the theme that Donatella herself coined as “hot couture.”

 

 

 

Christian Dior

Okay, maybe you’re a bit more delicate than the Versace woman, well the House of Dior kept you in mind. Raf Simons created weightless pieces a modern day princess would never turn down. Minor embellishments accompanied these pieces giving them just a hint of sparkle. Clean lines where the base of the collection letting us admire detail after detail. Delicate blues, long simple coats, and colored shoes were among just a few beauties in this show.

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Christian Dior Couture Fall 2014

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Elie Saab Couture Fall 2014

Elie Saab

Elie Saab’s 2014 Couture collection certainly did not “take it easy.” Gowns upon gowns lined the runway with crystal embellishments and dyed furs lending a hand to old hollywood glamor. A complaint about Elie Saab shows is that they all look alike. Well this season Elie Saab offered up ombre skirts making this trend feel incredibly fresh and opted to decorate with pearls to complement crystals. We can’t wait to see these pieces next red carpet season.

Maison Martin Margiela

Art was alive at Maison Martin Margiela. Van Gogh’s famous irises were hand stitched into shimmering gowns that left us speechless. Flowing silks were showcased with faceless models, once again emphasizing that fashion is about the clothes. Color mixed with pattern so purely it was as if we were looking though a kaleidoscope. This collection offered up something new and exciting for the Margiela house and we hope things continue this way.

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Maison Martin Margiela Couture Fall 2014