2012 Haute Couture Fashion Week

Riccardo Tisci tapped into Game of Thrones decadence with his Autumn/Winter collection. Setting the stage in an intimate appointment-only landscape, Tisci took his viewers into a luxurious, gypsy-inspired world surrounded by the trees. We can't help but feel transported to Sherwood Forest as the regal-like collection unfolded in rich red beading, embroidery, and laser-cut leather and fur. He tapped into luxury, but like all things Givenchy, the richness was never overworked or too precious. With easy silhouettes, you have the sense that you could carry off the most intricately beaded and embellished pieces as easily as Joan Smalls, who wears her glittering and fringed black and gold ombre top with a perfect nonchalance. That's the cool-girl quality Tisci never forgets; here it was the opulence of his details countered in effortless shapes, like a simple column gown finished with a fur caplet or an intricate, perfectly draped leather and fringe cape.

• Trends: Fur, capes, thigh-high slits, leather, fringe, geometric embellishment.
• Colours: Rich red, black, buttery brown, creamy beige, flecks of gold.
• Key piece: The red beaded, fringe, and fur-trimmed capes and coats in black and brown.
• Accessories: Visor-like shades, open-toe boots (and a German Shepherd).
• Who would wear it: The ultra-luxe gypsy; Carine Roitfeld was made to wear the fringed leather capes.

It was all about drama on top of drama at Jean Paul Gaultier's Autumn/Winter couture show held on Rue Saint-Martin yesterday. Inspired by George Sand, a famous female French writer known for wearing men's clothing and smoking in public in the 1800s, Jean Paul Gaultier'scollection was brazenly designed, filled with corsets, top hats, embellished jumpsuits, and pretty much anything else one would hope for in a decidedly theatrical collection. Coloured fur pieces like a pastel tri-coloured jacket showed off even more opulence, while metallic patchwork gave the line a more modern feel. Also of note, the designer featured both female and male models in the show, perhaps to show the unisex appeal, albeit for a more daring personality. Read more details below.

• Trends: Sheer detailing, colored fur, fringe, patchwork, jumpsuits.
• Colours: Red, light blue, gold, black, silver, purple, chartreuse.
• Key piece: The simple yet seductive black silk gown worn by Constance Jablonski.
• Accessories: Choker necklaces, netted headpieces, top hats, printed tights, chandelier earrings, platform pumps.
• Who would wear it: Girls looking for a subversive look; Lady Gaga, Rihanna.

Armani offered up dramatic menswear-inspired separates as a mainstay for his Autumn/Winter 2012 couture collection, and yes, there's wearability tied to most everything here. Armani began with fluid sets of jackets and pants in easy proportion. The wide-cut, boxy jackets and fluid, wide-leg, and velvet-finished pants don't short on volume, but there's an element of practicality in it all, most notably from the simple flats and the black velvet berets paired with every outfit. If you were dressing in Haute Couture every day, then this might just be the most accessible, especially in a palette that flows so effortlessly from easygoing daytime to high-impact, midnight hues. Lilacs and soft blues on Armani's separates and sheaths quickly gave way to something darker and sequined in the evening wear that followed suit. Gowns were dressed up in rich navy blues and blacks, a flash of Swarovskisequins, or a pretty organza that answered the call of after-hours glamour.

• Trends: Sequins, veils, suiting, sheer, peplum, boxy jackets, wide-leg trousers, and velvet fabrications
• Colours: Soft blue, pink, and lilac; black, white, navy, and royal blue
• Key piece: The strapless pink sequined gown
• Accessories: Embellished veils, fascinators, black berets, sleek clutches, T-strap pumps
• Who would wear it: Hollywood A-listers with a sleeker sensibility; Cate Blanchett

Dark-hued luxury in rich brocade and midnight-navy silks dominated Valentino's Couture collection for Autumn/Winter 2012. Maria GraziaChiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli revisited the ethereal silhouettes and deep palette present in A/W's ready-to-wear, but explored new shapes in evening wear too, this time topping their gowns with capes and raising the hemlines and necklines of slim-cut brocade sheaths. We get both a sense of the regal — most obviously from the capes sweeping the runway — but also in the intricacy of embellishments and the sheer weight of the brocade fabrics. Necklines cited more sophistication than sensuality, though there's certainly a fair share of skin to be seen in the sheer insets and cut-outs of the more fluid gowns. The designers married their influences, French painter Gustave Moreau mixed in with the elegance of a modern woman, calling to mind stylish ladies like front-row attendee Olivia Palermo or Charlize Theron. Like their own appeal, the beauty of this collection was all about nuances that came together to frame a larger, richer, big picture.

• Trends: Brocade, sheer, florals, capes, embellishments
• Colours: Navy, red, black, soft yellow, and pink
• Key piece: The brocade pastel yellow sheath and the sheer and lace-inset navy gown with cape
• Accessories: Lace-up heels, ballet-slipper inspired pumps
• Who would wear it: Red-carpet beauties like Charlize Theron

Celebrity fashion-lovers flocked to Paris for this week's haute couture fashion week. Kicking things off in style was Versace's runway presentation, drawing Gleeks Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison as well as Jessica Alba and Mad Men's resident siren Christina Hendricks to sit front row, while Christian Dior, Armani Privé and Chanel attracted royalty of the real (Princesses Charlene and Tatiana), and Hollywood (Sophia Loren), variety. From day four, Valentino brought the heavy-hitters with Olivia Palermo, Clémence Poésy and stylish duo Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in attendance. Louis Vuitton didn't put on a show, but the celeb-filled store opening brought the level of style we've come to expect from a week at Paris couture fashion week. Step inside to see the our best-of-the-best, fabulous front row round-up!

Elie Saab's Fall 2012 Couture collection was nothing short of a red carpet affair. By “infusing the collection with imperial splendour,”Elie's Constantinople era-inspired collection was filled to the brim with a decadent beading and lace awash in pretty hues of pale pink, gold, nude, and even a few pops of teal. The show kicked off with a line of dramatic, shimmery black gowns (led by model-of-the-moment Karlie Kloss) followed by a pretty regalia of softer hues, some of which highlighted cocktail appropriate knee-length dresses. Fancier evening wear showed intricate sheer lace detailing, high slits, and luxurious embroidery. We already predict a bevy of A-listers anxiously waiting for their next red carpet premiere just for a piece of this glamorous collection.

• Trends: Lace, sheer detailing, and high slits
• Colours: Black, nude, pink, light blue, teal, and gold
• Key piece: The gold column gown worn by Karlie Kloss hits all notes of perfection.
• Accessories: Skinny belts, black, gold, and light blue sandals
• Who would wear it: Red carpet stunners like Zoe Saldana, Emma Stone, and Gwyneth Paltrow

Karl Lagerfeld showed Chanel's Fall 2012 Couture collection in Paris's Grand Palais to a star-studded crowd that included Diane Kruger, Clémence Poésy, and Sofia Coppola. Themed "new vintage," the collection highlighted a chic array of the brand's signature tweed cut in true ladylike fashion — skirt sets, dresses paired with cropped jackets, and slouched trouser suits inspired by Coco Chanel all emoted an understated elegance, while slouched beanies and metallic tights injected a dose of modernity. But that's not to say the drama was missing, as eveningwear highlighted the designer's decadent side. Lagerfeld's intricately beaded separates, silver lurex gowns, and silk dresses were the perfect mix of vintage modern glamour. However, the pièce de résistance was the closing look worn by Lindsey Wixson: a white tulle and pearl embellished gown, which reportedly took over 3,000 hours to make. More details from the collection below.

• Trends: Ladylike tweed, metallics, loose trousers, beading.
• Colours: Grey, pink, purple, black, silver, blush.
• Key Piece: The slouched trouser sets and jaw-dropping tulle and pearl embellished white gown.
• Accessories: Metal cap-toe pumps, metallic leather fingerless gloves, metal belts, slouched beanies, shimmer tights.
• Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave chic looks with a twist like front-row attendees Diane Kruger and Clémence Poésy.