As haute couture week 2021 finally came to a close, MEGA is back with our very own personal take on looks that truly stood out on the runways this year.
Out with the old and in with the new, haute couture week 2021 is definitely not our quintessential way of watching the crème de la crème of fashion shows. Normally, style savants would have to flock to the various fashion capitals to see the exquisitely majestic creations of ingenious creatives of storied houses.
However, as we’re still not yet back in the old normal, the fashion industry has to continue how it initially executed the haute couture show in the latter half of last year—going digital. But while all shows had to take place behind closed doors due to the current lockdown rules, there sure wasn’t any shortage of breathtaking pieces exuding no less than the drama we’re always looking forward to.
Now, whether the brand chose to present its haute couture collection through a fashion film or a digital runway live, what matters is they were able to present their collections. And below, the MEGA Editorial team lists down the most memorable looks from the shows and presentations that caught our attention.
Look 2, Area
“I love this look because I think it is courageous in a sense that couture has always been an unreachable world especially with the high brow Parisians leading it. But this look by American brand, Area, talks back with an exciting take on high fashion not caring if it’s chic or classic. Area seems to be democratizing couture by showcasing a pedestrian coat but uplifts it with details that are fun and exciting.” – Jeb Fronda, Fashion Director
Look 21, Iris Van Herpen
“Famed for creating a gamut of brilliantly engineered fabric manipulations one haute couture show after another, Iris Van Herpen just never failed to make a person beguiled. This season, the dutch designer has summoned wonderment and true emotion with her collection revolving around her so-called ‘Roots of Rebirth.’ And her final look was undoubtedly a perfect representation of what she has been doing for years—an ethereal creation made through a meticulous technology-aided design process.” – Jann Pascua, Associate Creative Director
Look 15, Schiaparelli
“Schiaparelli challenged the limits of haute couture with the surrealism vision. Artistic director Daniel Roseberry presented unconventional gender bending silhouettes, unexpected pairings, and inventive fabrics that showed masterful artistry. This 36-meter electric pink piece in particular peaked my imagination with its stunning shin and silhouette that somehow looks like an inverted Hibiscus flower.” – Nicole Almero, Senior Graphic Artist
Look 73, Valentino
“I’ve always envisioned haute couture to be no less than glamor and fantasy mixed together. So, when I saw how Pierpaolo Piccioli was able to steer Valentino in a new direction conveying his own interpretation of a futuristic savoir-faire this year, it somehow also served as a signal that perhaps we’re at the dawn of haute couture given that the times have surely changed. And the most notable look that epitomizes this statement is none other than the finale look wherein the model sashayed the catwalk dripping in gold complemented by a full gold-face as if touched by King Midas.” – Daniel Reyes, Associate Fashion Editor
Look 5, Chanel
“In all honesty, I like this look because I can see myself wearing it. Chanel is bringing bolder pads to their classic tweed suits—a trend I personally love. Apart from this, it’s also keeping up with Pantone’s color of the year: Illuminating. And thanks to its sparkly neckpiece, it sure does signify that this hue is definitely what we need in the midst of a pandemic and I am living for it.” – Mika Reyes, Digital Beauty and Features Writer.
Look 28, Dior
“As a geek to anything related to astrology, my fascination for Dior’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection fueled my passion yet again for divinatory arts and signs of destiny. Having Maria Grazia Chiuri entranced her whole collection reinterpreting Calvino’s novel The Castle of Crossed Destinies and Visconti-Sforza’s tarot cards, brought symbolic magic and pluralistic beauty which has left me spell-bounded. This fabric of dreams exalt intricate excellence—it really hallmarks the dreamlike journey of this revolutionized house.” – Brie Ventura, Multimedia Artist
Look 13, Giambattista Valli
“Nothing says more extravaganza than yards of cotton candy tulle gowns by Italian fashion designer Giambattista Valli. While every piece speaks volumes about the collection, this look certainly embodied different cultures of the past and present. Its ostrich feathers and ’60s hair volume creates a dramatic effect like no other. Looking closer in the film, you will see that every detail in this piece was intricately put together like the magnificent scenes in the city of Seville.” – Patricia Ramos, Editorial Associate
