The last Spring-Summer Couture collections will not remain in the annals of the greats!
21 collections were presented to the press:
* from 10 Official Members (Adeline André, Anne Valérie Hash, Chanel, Christian Dior, Dominique Sirop, Franck Sorbier, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maurizio Galante, Stéphane Rolland missing Christian Lacroix this season )
* from 4 Correspondents Members (Head Quarters based somewhere else than Paris: Elie Saab, Giorgio Armani, Maison Martin Margiela, Valentino)
* from 7 Guest Members (Adam Jones, Alexis Mabille, Atelier Gustavo Lins, Christophe Josse, Josephus Thimister, Lefrant.Ferrant, Maison Rabih Kayrouz, missing Alexandre Matthieu, Felipe Oliveira Baptista, Jean-Paul Knott, Josep Font, Marc Le Bihan this season
Spring-Summer collections are generally less interesting in terms of creativity because of the nature of the season there is less layering to play with and less choice of materials.
The resulting depopulation of the designers who used to be present for the Haute Couture shows, has affected the competitive spirit. The older generation has all but nearly disappeared with the likes of Emanuel Ungaro, Valentino, YSL. The new wave of Designers have yet to reach the talent and the notoriety of their peers.
Many presented scant limited looks collections: with only 22 at Givenchy, 14 at Anne Valérie Hash, 11 at Martin Margiela, 34 at Dior. Others like Elie Saab played with only 2 to 3 different patterns and cuts for their complete collection, with only slight variation in prints and embroideries.
For the Spring-Summer 2010, I am under the impression that Designers were not as committed to their Couture Collection. Perhaps they have reached their creative point of saturation, as wearing too many hats often dilutes what a single hat could have accomplished.
I really missed Yves Saint Laurent, Emanuel Ungaro, Christian Lacroix this season and Valentino Garavani!
There were some excellent shows though with wonderfully refined cuts and details from: Givenchy and Dior for their daywear collection as well as Armani Privé and the Stéphane Rolland collection featured below.
I can’t wait to see the prêt-à-porter commencing next week in New York to see what the fall-winter 2011 season will bring…
More images and video on Benjamin Kanarek Blog
I was born and grew up in Toronto, Canada. Never quite sure what I wanted in life, I fell into many things by accident. Photography, Web Concept development and Creative Direction are just a few examples.
I played drums in a few punk rock groups, one of which, the “Existers”, was produced by John Cale. Another, the “Poles”, had a semi-successful hit called “Telex Love”. Afterward, I entered Carleton University where I studied Architecture. I then worked in several companies, including Webb Zerafa Menkes & Housden, best known for designing the CN Tower in Toronto.
After a serious accident where I fell from a five meter mezzanine, I literally fell into photography. There was a photographer taking photos at the party and I landed on his toe!!!
My second shoot was an advertising campaign in Toronto. While in Toronto, I was the first Canadian photographer to shoot Kim Alexis, which I did for the cover of Chatelaine.
I moved to Los Angeles and stayed there for just over a year before moving to New York. In NY, I shot quite a few campaigns as well as the Dayton Hudsons Christmas book with Andi McDowell, Elle MacPherson and Brook Shields. I also shot several covers for Vogue South America.
I then moved to Milan where I shot for Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan. I came back to Toronto for a short stint before a friend suggested that I try Paris.
After six weeks in Paris, I was given an opportunity to shoot the Haute Couture for L’Officiel. Since then, Paris has become my base.
I also compose and write Pop-Rock music for several artists.
I also consult as a creative director for worldwide agencies and clients.
Some of the magazines I have been published in include :
L'Officiel Paris, Vogue Italy, Vogue Paris, Vogue (South America Edition), Vogue Brasil, Elle (Spain, Portugal and Greece editions), New York Daily News Fashion, W Magazine UK, Cosmopolitan (France and Italy), Harper’s Bazaar Italy, Votre Beauté, Biba, Flare, Glamour (French), Chatelaine, Madame Figaro, Dealer Deluxe, Oyster Magazine, Deutsch Magazine, All Access, Icon, Issue One, Tank, No Name Magazine, West East Magazine…etc.
