Christian Dior showed models with bejewelled lips at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week yesterday.
All eyes were on the label's relatively new creative director Raf Simons to see what he would offer in what is arguably the most flamboyant date in the fashion calendar.
While his predecessor John Galliano would go all out with theatrical displays, Simons prefers keep the same thread going through his collections. To stop the looks getting old there are pops of intrigue - this time courtesy of the models' bright red lips which were covered in matching jewels. To ensure the beauty look really stood out the rest of the make-up was paired down, skin was pale and dewy and eyes were devoid of any colour.
Despite the cold weather in the rest of the country, the backdrop for the Dior show was a summer day. Held at the Tuileries Gardens, models wondered around the fake shrubbery with their bare shoulders glistening.
Simons continued the trend for neon, showing a pale pink pencil skirt with a pop of lime green at the hem. This was paired with a black skirt with yellow piping, showing colour is something to be embraced for Spring/Summer 13.
"I wanted to do a self-explanatory collection," was all the designer would say.
Other looks including a while maxi dress, which was made of structured fabric and hugged the upper thighs before falling to the floor in a voluminous heap. It seemed to be Simons' take on new bridal wear, with the model wearing a matching white top with short sleeves which stopped just about the skirt's waistband to reveal a hint of toned stomach. To accessorise there was a white headband and veil.
Those who loved the look but didn't want all white could opt for a similar skirt in pale grey, with black piping showing off the panels it was made of. Pale pink flowers covered the piece from mid-thigh to knee and it was teamed with a simple black sheath top.
Bright orange and acid yellow were other big looks, with the standard Dior bar jackets also present.
Karl Lagerfeld has given a sneak peak of the Chanel couture show, which will take place later today. In a sketch released to WWD a model is seen in long boots, which the designer says come in "half tweed, half ivory lace".
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