Skip to main content
December 4, 2021
Updated:
Original:

The Best Beauty Looks From the Spring Couture Shows

At the couture shows, one expects flair and drama. Beauty is an important part of any runway show, but it's taken to a different level in couture. It's either masterfully understated to let the clothes shine, or a literal extension of the couture pieces themselves. The Spring 2011 couture shows delivered flair in abundance. Yes, there were quiet and pretty moments, like at Elie Saab and Valentino. And Jean Paul Gaultier was kind of a hot mess, mixing Marcel waves, braids, and mohawks--though he did a magnificent elongated cat eye, so we’ll forgive him for the hair. A few trends emerged as well--some things to watch for in the upcoming A/W 2011 shows, perhaps? -Asian models: Givenchy used all Asian girls, as befitted the Japanese theme (though many weren’t Japanese). Elie Saab used three, all in a row and all dressed in red. Does two make a trend? We’ll see. -High blush to the temples: Chanel and Valentino both put blush in unnatural places (coincidentally not unlike Justin Bieber did at the Golden Globes). Start at the high cheek bone and blend to the lower orbital bone, then continue right up to the temples. Instant couture glow. -Cat eye with a twist: Chanel did a thick cat eye that cut up towards the brow rather than out horizontally. Dior did a double cat eye, with wings extending from both the upper and lower lids. Jean Paul Gaultier’s was a traditional shape, but exaggerated almost out to the hairline. So what were our favorite looks at the shows? Click through to find out.
Author:

At the couture shows, one expects flair and drama. Beauty is an important part of any runway show, but it's taken to a different level in couture. It's either masterfully understated to let the clothes shine, or a literal extension of the couture pieces themselves.

The Spring 2011 couture shows delivered flair in abundance. Yes, there were quiet and pretty moments, like at Elie Saab and

Alexis Mabille: The long shiny princess braids intertwined with vines and roses sounds very twee, but it looked stunning with the simple makeup and ethereal gowns. (Hair by Odile Gilbert.)

Christian Dior: The hair and makeup at

Recommended Articles

Armani Privé: You couldn’t even see the models’ hair and eyes thanks to Philip Treacy’s saucer hats, so that left lips front and center.

Now, I’ve been on record saying I hate purple. Perhaps a change of heart is in order. Linda Cantello painted lips a vibrant purple, then topped it all off by affixing a blue violet gem to one edge of the lower lip. You can do this look in real life. Really.

Franck Sorbier: Dreadlocks usually have an ick factor, but they were elevated to couture status at Sorbier’s show. The models’ dreads were rolled into cinnamon bun updos and half-up-half-down hair. Traditional formal hair styles done with a big nasty twist. It worked.

Maurizio Galante: A prime example of the makeup becoming one with the clothes. Each model at Galante had colorful washes applied to her face and legs to coordinate with the clothes, or geometric prints or zigzags painted onto her bare legs and torso. Model as canvas.

Related Stories

Beauty

The Best Beauty Looks from the Fall 2011 Couture Shows

Another couture season is behind us, leaving in its wake more Dior rumors, a rare Alaia show, and lots of strange hair accessories. It was a gorgeous week for beauty, though. If nails were less-than-spectacular--we're moving towards a more ladylike manicure, perhaps--the eyes were artful and strong. Lips were mostly neutral with a few notable exceptions. And hair ran the gamut from punky to slick to softly romantic. Click through to see the best beauty looks from the Paris Fall 2011 couture shows. *Photos: Imaxtree

Apr 9, 2014
Style

The Best (and Strangest) Beauty Looks from Couture

We look forward to the couture collections for so many reasons--the pure fantasy of it all, the exquisite details, and of course, the often equally as fantastical beauty looks. We've already broken down the gorgeous looks at Chanel (left), but here's a look at the rest of the collections. From elaborate hair accessories to full-face makeup, click through for our favorite beauty looks from the spring 2012 couture collections.

Apr 10, 2014
Beauty

The Craftiest Beauty Looks From the Couture Shows

The spring 2013 couture shows are over, but the beauty looks really made a lasting impression on us. Click through to see the craftiest and most technically advanced beauty from the spring couture shows.

Apr 10, 2014
Beauty

Paris Fall 2011 Couture Beauty: The Manicures

Obviously couture is all about the clothes. However, many designers also get pretty fanciful with hair and makeup, too, which makes the whole package really fun to watch. That's not the case with manicures so far this couture season. The shows are only half over, but so far manis have been fairly sedate.

Apr 9, 2014