While some think of couture as an out-of-date exercise that attracts a dying breed of client others believe that these exclusive designs are wearable works of art. Whatever your viewpoint designers left on the couture schedule have injected a contemporary edge to attract that fashion savvy female. From red carpet gowns to immaculately cut suits couture details often cross over into ready-to-wear inspiring design studios the world over. Here we check out some dominant trends from the very latest Spring/Summer 06 couture catwalks…

A Touch of Lace

Already a big trend in the ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 06 catwalks lace was once again repeatedly used in the couture collections. Anne Valerie Hash used feminine layers of lace to lighten up masculine cuts of leather and wool. While others such as Chanel and Christian Lacroix use the delicate fabric as a trim or over-layer. Think intricate guipure and fine cob-webby designs rather than granny’s net curtains.

Latino Ladies

Ruffles, frills and poufs designers added a touch of flamenco fever into Spring/Summer couture. Add in tiny boleros, matador jackets and large belt cinching waists and the thrill of the bullfight is also thrown into the mix. Check out Christian Dior and Lacroix for some Latino inspiration. Elsewhere red carpet gowns from the likes of Elie Saab and Armani Prive were made up of cascades of fluttery ruffles – just the job for showing off those tango moves.  

Greek Odyssey

Jean Paul Gaultier cited ancient Greece as his Spring/Summer 06 inspiration and by the look of it he wasn’t alone. From pleats galore to goddess dresses and draped jerseys the influence was there but not in an obvious themed way. Classical elegance can be found in this Spring/Summer’s ready-to-wear collections from the likes of Alexander McQueen and Anna Molinari. While on the couture catwalks Elie Saab added a touch of Greek goddess drama into his floor-length show-stopping gowns.   

Gothic Romance

Dark, gothic romance was a strong theme in the recent Men’s ready-to-wear Autumn/Winter 2006/07 shows. With it comes a deep colour palette dominated by black, deep berry and blood red. As the couture collections focused on Spring/Summer black was lightened up with white, nude, oyster and pale grey. Not your usual summer colour but attention grabbing all the same blood red featured in collections by Christian Dior and Givenchy. Black, meanwhile, was incredibly strong and practically every designer featured a good dose of the dark stuff in their couture lines.

Suits You

Couture wouldn’t be couture without an immaculately cut day suit or two. For sharp suits with the minimum of fuss take a look at Armani Prive and Jean Paul Gaultier, both opt for a wide cut leg and clean lines. Jackets are short and skimming while the overall effect is one of lean elegance. Over at Chanel its Coco all the way with reinterpreted skirt suits featuring cropped jackets and tourneau shaped skirts.

Other key trends spied on the couture catwalks include: a continued influence from the Far East, especially at Revillon where kimono wrap-over shapes featured throughout. Halterneck gowns, exaggerated collars, leggings worn under skirts and dresses, puff hemlines, loose ties, bracelet sleeves, nipped-in-waists, corsetry, dramatic proportions, crucifix necklaces, satin bows, beading and strapless gowns.

By JoJo Iles www.fashionpr.co.uk