From This Year's Haute Couture Runway Shows to Your Closet

This years 2012/2013 Autumn and Winter haute couture collections by Valentino, Christian Dior, and Chanel feature some of the the season’s not so traditional interpretations such as floral patterns and shades of pink and apricot that would usually be accustomed to spring. The garments stared, create a whole new light to this fall and winter season. With that, you can take looks from the runway and accompany them to your everyday look.    

Valentino’s Autumn and Winter collection includes gowns comprised of the colors navy, a somewhat dirtied rose, apricot, red, and even some burnt yellow. Intricate, Japanese inspired floral embroidery is presented on the fine silk and sheer chiffon garments. Just as well, this years collection was mainly focused on the aspect of shape and color; chic, slim figured dresses with a high neck, swelled sleeves, raised waist, and gem-like hues. The line is a modern undertake of the traditional with its warmed winter colors of pink, yellow, and red.

The Autumn/Winter collection for Dior is a modern twist on the traditional outlook of winter clothing. Using sheer and tweed weaves along with floral prints (similar to Valentino), Dior succeeded on taking even the dullest of colors and brighting it up with color block, winged eye makeup of blue and lip color of scarlet. Peplum was along with the trends used over narrow-legged trousers and pencil skirts. Recurring colors from the Valentino collection of rose, navy, and red appeared multiple times in the fabric and embroidery. Chunky crystal chokers and bracelets alongside extravagant fur were extravagant dressings, causing a dramatic effect to the entire show.

A girly take of tartan plaid, tweed, and metallic-inlaid wool weaves alongside sparkly statement collars were trends elusively featured in the Chanel 2012/2013 Autumn-Winter haute couture collection. Initially Chanel’s classy suits went down one after another, infused with bubblegum pink and silver, then tulle skirts for evening outings shown in a steel grey and sugar-almond pink (a color very much similar to the pinks used in Valentino and Dior) made there way down the runway. It's apparent that this year’s fall and winter line for Chanel was aimed for a magical winter-like feel but still border-lining spring with its nontraditional colors and fabrics. 

To acquire these looks and keep up with these occurring trends of peplum, floral prints, statement collars, high waisted bottoms, color block makeup, nontraditional fall and winter colors, and the other current trends underlined above,  pieces like the ones below can be added to your closet.

These are a few items from my favorite online stores; examples of elements that can keep your closet up-to-date with visibly borrowed traits from the runway:  

Jessica Hart Twill Blazer in Floral: an adorable statement piece that can be put together with contrasting block colors

Sequined Alva Clutch- Anthropologie: a versatile floral-patterned clutch heavily embroidered with sequins

EQUIPMENT washed silk shirt: a dusty pink button-up with a metallic, statement collar 

M.A.C. Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in  Petrol Blue: an eyeliner with color-block intensity

Rosie Silk Peplum Dress: mink colored peplum dress with a high-set neck, sheer sleeves, and stylish cutouts

Kimchi Blue Floral Chiffon Jacket: sheer-weeve, lightweight jacket in an enlarged floral print 

Burning Man

Burning Man is an annual, week-long festival held in late August, in the dry, scorching heat of the Nevada sun. The name “Burning Man” comes from the main event of the festival;  igniting a 70 ft wood structure, epitomized as the figure of a man. People travel here from around the globes, some come in RV’s, while others, in profusely decorated cars; either way, they are all coming to enthrall themselves into the art world and have a good time.What makes people endure the 107 degree heat? Large scale projects of sorts are the specialty of Burning man artists. Whether it be a life-sized ship, sunken surreally in the desert ground (see below), or an automobile disguised as a deep sea creature (to the right), the art is hardly  unnoticeable making for a dream-like experience. During the night, after the sun goes down and goosebumps arrive, the expansive grounds light up with glow-sticks and LED lights. It is arguable that more people are out at night than in the day; while the daylight may offer opportune lighting to see small details, certain unique perspectives and characteristics blaze up when the world gets dark. 

The first Burning Man was held in 1986 with an eight foot man structure and but a fraction of flame of the up to 80 foot structures that they build today. The Burning Man is built throughout the duration of the week long festival. Planned and drawn out by artists, then created by the labor multiple people from the ground up, it is ultimately engulfed by the flames the people who built it. This symbolic bonfire ritual is held on a Saturday night, the last night of the festival to wrap up and “burn up” the festival. The art displayed at the Burning Man festival attracts thousands of people every year and the number is rising. With such abstract ideas and eclectic art, it’s no wonder Burning Man has such an immense pull on people.