FASHIONREPORTERS

PARIS, Feb 1, 2008 /FR/ — It seemed to be the latest trend on the catwalk at Paris Haute Couture. These pictures were not taken on the runway of some extravagant young designer, but at two of the most prominent fashion houses: Dior and Valentino.

The first one, Dior,  celebrated in July last year its 60th anniversary, the latter, Valentino, just had a superproduction runway show for the farewell collection of its founder. The dresses, sheaths, jackets, embropderies were wonderful in each and every look in these two houses collections. However the head accessories really looked like they were old-fashioned lampshades either covered in various fabrics or repainted with some metallic coating, or both.

So on the next occasion on your agenda where you want to appear dressed up (like your cousin’s wedding, or some red carpet where you want to make a statement), just jump to your own or your granny’s attic and  dig out of it the hugest lampshade you will find.

Do not pay attention to the lampshade’s style, it could be Art Déco, Art Nouveau, vaguely futuristic from the seventies, shaped like an UFO or even totally tacky. The first thing that matters is size and if you don’t find a lampshade, you could even try the same with a big enough flowerpot.

Then simply go to the closest DIY shop to buy some metallic paint, try to harmonize it to the secondary colour in your dress, so that it will mix well with it. Just paint the lamp shade, inside and outside, let it dry out thoroughly and wear it: there you are, you have your wonderful new hat and you will be the hippest person at the event!

Make sure that you position the “hat” so that you can still see something when you are moving. And, oh just one thing I was about to forget: DO TAKE OFF THE LIGHT BULB!

Another trend which seems to be very trendy is ballet flats. of course there are may kinds around of various prices and quality, but if you want to look like the Chanel girls of the Spring Haute Couture runway show, just make sure you are wearing only this type of shoes with all outfits, and preferably in the shades of sea shells ( mother-of-pearl greys, pale pinks, light sandy browns).

Wear them especially with long dresses and even under your wedding gown! The Chanel runway show really asserted it : this summer it’s nothing but flats. According to Karl lagerfeld: “With ballet flats, you are sure to never look tarty”. So, do not worry whether it’s flattering for your silhouette (even though it seldom was, even on skinny models on the presentation of the Chanel collection particularly on evening dresses), the important think is to look respectable and trendy, isn’t it?

Ah! One last tip: Do not wear these two trends at the same time ever! People might really think you are a floor lamp…

Jean Paul Cauvin