There are various weeks throughout the year that get my undivided attention. I spend hours trolling the internet, instagram, websites and blogs on the hunt for the next thing that will take my breath away and transport me into another world, another dimension, to a world long forgotten. These weeks are the holy grail for designers and heaven on earth for a lowly fashion lover like myself. Once, twice a year if I am lucky in various cities all over the world I get seven uninterrupted days of my heart skipping beats every time a new fashion show is published. My thumb goes sore from scrolling through the countless pictures of clothing I could only dream of seeing in real life. Let alone, buy and own. The creme de la creme though would have to be Paris Spring Couture shows. Haute couture is what makes me weak at the knees. Absorbing as I have this week starting with Karl Lagerfeld’s wooden Chanel doll house, Armani Prive’s lavender hued goddesses, raucous Bowie-esque chameleons from a bygone Parisian night club scene at Jean Paul Gaultier to the ethereal Indian Edwardian inspired Elie Saab. So much beauty, so many stories told within each and every handmade stitch, each and every garment a labour of love of the petite mains, the seamstresses, the ateliers. Each piece is made to come to life by a single pair of hands.

I cannot help but think of a line from Sex and the City in which Carrie says “When I first moved to New York, sometimes I bought Vogue instead of dinner. I found it fed me more.” Fashion is what feeds my soul and haute couture… haute couture is what I believe to be magic.

Giambattista Valli

Giambattista ValliChristian DiorChristian DiorChristian DiorViktor & RolfViktor & RolfArmani PriveArmani PriveArmani PriveJean Paul GaultierJean Paul GaultierJean Paul GaultierElie SaabElie SaabElie SaabChanelChanelChanelChanel

All images courtesy of Kevin Tachman backstage at the Paris Couture Spring Shows for vogue runway.com