Paris Haute Couture S/S 2012: Christian Dior takes us on a whirlwind trip back to the 1950s

Hot on the heels of Versace’s return to Paris was the Christian Dior Haute Couture show, with the French fashion house giving a nod to fashion of decades past with a 1950s inspired collection. It was designer Bill Gaytten’s second Couture collection for the House while they search for a replacement for John Galliano. This year Gaytten kept the collection much more demure and sophisticated in true Dior style, as opposed to last year’s eccentric Couture showing, which included clowns. Each of the looks presented were of breathtaking beauty, many with the signature Dior fitted waist detailing made famous by the New Look, and whimsical ballroom-style skirts. Coupled with beaded detailing, sheer skirts, voluminous layering and girlish bows, each gown was more magical than the last, with hues ranging from vivid red, to silvers and deep purples, and finally black dominating throughout the collection. For the floor length gowns, layers of tulle flowed, with many of these looks also accompanied by elbow-length gloves, which accentuated the feminine tones of the 1950s themed looks.

Shorter dresses added a playful element to the collection and complemented their floor-length counterparts perfectly, with sheer layers and beaded detailing shown throughout the shorter options. In true 1950s style, the models wore their hair sleek and bobbed, with minimal makeup allowing the strong, graceful tones of the show to take centre stage.

Lauren Kruger is a Melbourne based journalism student who loves all things fashion and being inspired by the latest trends, whether it be high fashion or high street. Follow Lauren on Twitter at @LaurenKruger26.