Haute So Beautiful

It's the time of year again when the haute couture shows hit the runway in Paris. Opened by Dior and Versace, each house made a return to the roots of its inspiration. Dior was back to his magnificent self with Galliano taking us on a journey to dance culture, taking in Charleston, cha-cha, tango and hip hop. The show opened with a group of flamenco gypsies dressed in flounced skirts and corsetry and fluidly turned into a ballet with beautiful dresses exploding with ballroom ruffles a la Swan lake.

Versace left the hard-edge glam look to rock-and-roll on its own, and instead opted for a lighter and airier femininity in chiffon and feather embroidery. No more metallic colours and chains and studs, it was a focus on all things graceful and delicate with layered ruches of silk tulle and organza.

The couture shows in Paris highlight the fashion doldrums of summer, when the shops are emblazoned with sales, and shopping becomes a mad fight for that Prada handbag you've been eyeing all season, but could not justify to purchase. On the other hand, the Parisian shows have a knack of inspiring us what creative fashion is all about and to have seen a John Galliano extravaganza is to know that fashion isn't all bland and commercial. While most budgets do not stretch to include the cost of a GBP 30,000 couture dress, the thrill of the new season underway coupled with seeing designers in their best of elements is haute so beautiful.