Best of Couture Week Fall 2011

Only a select group of prestigious designers show at Paris Couture Week. Giambattista Valli debuted his couture collection to rave revues, while staples like Valentino and Elie Saab took breaths away with their ornate designs. Check out the most spectacular couture collections of Fall 2011!

Elie Saab

Those who say romance is dead have not seen an Elie Saab Couture runway show. Saab's ombré palette begins with ice blue and gradiates to ivory, peach, dusty mauve, midnight blue and back to ice with a single triumphant wedding gown. Elie revels in a woman's curves and has perfected the delicate relation of fabric, light, and air, countering weightless tulle with sparkling bead clusters—revealing provocative glimpses of skin through floor-sweeping bejeweled chiffon. Even his above-the-knee dresses sparkle with timeless ethereality.

Givenchy

Quality over quantity is an understatement for the Givenchy Couture collection. Riccardo Tisci created a collection of 10 heavily embellished ethereal pieces that range in color only slightly from white to champagne. Tisci questions the expected, playing with balance, light and exposure (pants need not apply). Thick embroidery is placed on sheer nylon and tulle, lush feathers and perfectly combed fringe float weightlessly while paillette scales and honeycomb beading armor the bodices of the statuesque figures. The precision and dedication of each piece of art simply defines couture.

Azzedine Alaïa

For his first show in 8 years, Azzedine Alaïa thrives on his famous fit-and-flare silhouette, tiered ruffles and the weighted fabrics he (and his clientele) so adore. The show starts out lighter with a frothy gray fur alongside vibrant green and egg-shell felted wool coats. Progressively Alaïa draws us in deeper with dark maroons and black patent alligator embossing. A true lover of countering textures, the designer pairs supple velvet (a couture favorite this season) with shining satin and luxe feather trim, makes a skirt-suit of burgundy crocodile and creates flouncy scalloped ruffles out of crisp Italian wool. Fairy-esque petal hems run rampant, creating a surreal feel to Alaïa's long-awaited and much missed runway show.

Alexis Mabille

Taking inspiration from La Fontaine's classic fables, Alexis Mabille created 18 pieces that each reflect a wild animal for his Fall '11 couture collection. He embarks onto dangerous territory in every sense, as the designs are as unpredictable and incohesive as nature itself. There are some definite hits in the collection like his white feathered leopard and the captivating duality amongst his fur-sleeved wolf and fox. A cardinal rule in fashion is to never be too literal, as seen with Mabille's yellow swan slip. We do, however, love rule-breakers—and a show that leaves us wondering.

Stéphane Rolland

Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj have a new collection to look to for their statement-making red carpet choices. Stéphane Rolland's Fall '11 couture line is full of vibrant colors and gravity-defying designs. A lover of metalwork, Rolland's show isn't complete without the contrast of structured metallics and airy fabrics. Our favorite piece? A hot pink gown looked to be dipped in black ink. His designs, of course, are not for the faint at heart, as he finished his show with a kimonoesque robe made entirely of rope. Structured origami-inspired designs walked the runway, delivering the drama couture dreams are made of.