Spring 2014 Couture Report: The top 5 trends on the rise in Paris

Spring 2014 Couture Trends
Ulyana Sergeenko, Christian Dior and Giambattista Valli shot by Peter Stigter
Spring 2014 Couture Trends
Ulyana Sergeenko, Christian Dior and Giambattista Valli shot by Peter Stigter

See the Spring 2014 Couture trends »

All it took was three taps on her Cartier watch in the direction of a publicist for Vogue’s Anna Wintour to get the Giambattista Valli show rolling the other night. There’s no time to waste at Spring 2014 Couture Week in Paris with so much to see—from Louis Vuitton’s new trunk-inspired watches to Roger Vivier’s limited edition shoes with diamante “disco ball” heels.

The elevated athlete trend, which came on strong during the Spring 2014 ready-to-wear season, has popped up at the couture level, most notably in lace, python, pearl and floral beaded sneakers at Chanel and Christian Dior. It’s symbolic of a new ease and youthfulness wafting through fashion at all levels.

Here are some other trends coming out of Spring 2014 Couture Week in Paris

Haute moto
Gold-leaf lapels at Alexandre Vauthier, leather bits sewn on georgette at Atelier Versace, and crystal, snake and feathered vests and jackets at Bouchra Jarrar, who is the first woman named to the official couture calendar in 30 years.

Legs
Split and fringe-y macramé skirts at Alexandre Vauthier, curved hems at Giambattista Valli, sheer ball skirts at Armani Privé.

Layering
Peekaboo veils and cutouts at Christian Dior, jackets hovering over corseted waists at Chanel, draping over body con beading at Atelier Versace, organza layers with circles in varying degrees of sheerness at Vionnet.

Hip action
Bows and skirty ruffles at Giambattista Valli, fringed swags at Ulyana Sergeenko, ruched satin minis at Alexandre Vauthier, and below the waist embroidery at Schiaparelli which is back in the couture business after 60 years.

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