couture crush...

Happy Friday y'all!

It's no secret that I have a love affair with Couture.  Even before I knew what Couture was I knew I loved it.  I don't know...maybe it's the Scarlet O'Hara in me, but I've always loved a big beautiful dress!
There were, frankly, too many gorgeous styles to choose from this season, but here is a tiny sampling of the beautiful looks that have been marching down the Parisian runways over the past week.

I am particularly obsessed with Giambattista Valli's collection this season.  In my humble opinion, it is perfection in every way...which is why he gets to have two pictures :)  One day when D and I retire back to the South, I plan to spend my days sipping mint juleps on the veranda of our plantation home while wearing one of his gowns...

Just saying...

Have a happy weekend! 

xo...

ki

photos via instyle.com

she's a couture baby...

It has been a very exciting week at chez Pea...after spending the weekend down South with my preggy pants little sister, I returned to the City just in time for Jones (everyone has a nickname in my family) to be admitted to the hospital the very next day and deliver a beautiful baby girl!  I am so excited to announce that I am the very proud aunt to a beautiful, dark haired, chubby cheeked little girl named Jane.  I couldn't be happier and can't wait to meet little Miss Jane--or baby Janey as her little brother has already coined her.  

She is bound to be a fashionable little lady as she was born right on the coattails of the Couture shows in Paris.  It is a sign!  She is going to be my little protege!  

So, Baby Janey, only a day after you were born, here is your first lesson in Couture--your Aunt Ki's favorite! (and I'm sure it will be yours too!)

For Spring, couture was all about embroidery and embellishment and beautiful feminine silhouettes, like above from Chanel and below from Dior.  

Tea length gowns were everywhere, like this one from Christian Dior.

Elie Saab was magical.  Princess worthy.  

I loved the metal touches and accessories at Giambattista Valli.

And these ecru stunners at Valentino were perfect.  

There are still lots of things to talk about like princess gowns, red hot numbers, and plenty of whimsy...but that can wait.  

Today we are celebrating your arrival!!!  Welcome to the world beautiful little girl!!!

lots of love...

and hugs...

and plenty of kisses too...

Can't wait to meet you!

xo...

ki 

couture defined...

haute couture:  

in France, a term exclusively reserved for the members and guest members of the Chambre syndicale de la couture parisienne.  to earn the right to call oneself a couture house, a member of the Chambre syndicale must design made to order fashions that involve at least one fitting, have a workroom in Paris that employees at least 20 full-time workers, and present a collection of at least 50 designs twice a year to the press in Paris. *

a master at work:
Pierre Balmain in 1947

These gorgeous garments are mostly made by hand--as in no sewing machine--and require a team of sewers to accomplish the look.  Some of these precious and detailed pieces can take well over one hundred hours to complete.  A process that has barely changed since the 1850's...my dream has always been to visit a couture house and just watch the process.  No one has to even acknowledge my existence. And I promise I won't touch.  But Oh! to be in the presence of that kind of beauty...I would probably keel over from over stimulation right then and there!  

Below, a few highlights from the fall 2012 couture shows...

chanel

 giambatista valli

 elie saab

valentino

christian dior

jean paul gaultier

armani prive

Stunning.  A true art form and my constant source of inspiration.

xo...
ki

(via style.com)
* Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire Shaeffer