J'adore J'Aton

I was watching Australia's Next Top Model on Starworld and that's where I got to really see what the hype was behind the couture label, J'Aton. I was blown away by the details on their gowns featured during the programme.

"We dress women the way men want to see women dressed"

Founders and designers Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittorino launched the label in 1995 and they started small, making just enough to buy materials they needed like sewing machines and other equipment. Slowly, the label began to gain a reputation for attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship and today, J'Aton has become synonymous with gorgeous bespoke evening and bridal wear. Both designers come from Italian families and their uncanny ability to understand each other has allowed this dynamic partnership to bear fruit.

Their contemporary couture, gorgeous draping and breathtaking detailing has won them awards such as the 2009 Prix de Marie Claire Awards for Best Eveningwear Designers and several other Australian Gown of the Year acknowledgements. A favourite among Australia's society and the elite, J'Aton's celebrity clients include Dita von Teese, Charlize Theron, Lily Cole, Delta Goodrem, Kylie and Danni Minogue and Rebecca Twigley.

Andrej Pejic for J'Aton Couture

J'Aton opened first in Ascot Vale in Melbourne then moved to Prahran five years later so the designers could expand their client base. Being so incredibly successful, the label has made plans to move to New York but the much anticipate move was, sadly, delayed because of the losses incurred as a result of a fire at the label's showroom at Greville Street. Enter the J'Aton bridal salon and you'll find it unique from other ateliers. There is no showroom overflowing with sample gowns, instead customers can expect a small selection of intricate couture gowns that represent the feel, style, craftsmanship and fit that J'Aton has become known for. 

Inspired by classic designers like Christian Dior and Charles James. They like to keep femininity in their gowns whilst also incorporating elements that their clients want. The advantage then, is that the designers are involved right down to the last detail. The designers' hands-on approach has led to their popularity among their elite clientele, resulting in word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat clients.

It comes as no surprise then, that the designers work through appointments only for both consultations and fittings. Luppino and Pittorino meet with each prospective client to see if they get along before another appointment is set up for sketching and discussion of other details. Every client speaks directly with either designer and each gown is carefully sewn in small teams. Each gown is therefore a collaboration of both the designers' aesthetic and the client's vision. Most gowns take about six months to create and brides-to-be are asked to commit to at least four fittings. The duo are open to alternatives if for example, the bride hates lace and beading. However, both designers feel that the clients' minds can be changed especially since "its usually because of how they've seen other people design with it" that causes a definite adverse reaction to certain design elements. 

J'Aton is located at 185 Greville Street, Prahran.

♥,
Fir

Georges Hobeika Autumn/Winter 2011-12 Couture

A personal favourite at Paris' couture showcase this year is Georges Hobeika's whimsical collection. I love the corset bodices, cascading skirts and gorgeous details. These dresses are so beautiful that they'll probably bring me to tears if I ever find myself in one of them.

♥,
Fal

Valentino Autumn/Winter 2011-12 Couture

The combination of delicate embroidery and sheer fabrics in this collection brought out the fragile beauty of the models. They looked graceful in the slim silhouettes, reminiscent of ballerinas belonging to a Russian ballet troupe as they glided slowly down the runway. Chiuri and Piccioli do all of this while staying true to the Valentino vision of femininity, incorporating the famous Valentino Red, lace and ribbons into this refreshingly light and luminous showcase of pure craftsmanship.

Clearly, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are on a roll.

♥,
Fal

Couture Week

Couture week in Paris came to an end last night, with Valentino drawing the curtain for Spring/ Summer 2011's collections. To sum up the extravagant event, thefword will feature some of the designers that presented their works.

My favorite show comes as no surprise. Valentino's collection was ravishing to say the least. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli sent models down the runway in frothy dresses that looked like a dream, with all their delicateness and lightness. Ruffles and femininity were present in full force. Also staying true to this season's hottest trend, the pieces were in a whole spectrum of nude colors.

While Valentino was the epitome of beauty, Chanel's collection was girlish and pretty, with models in frilled and feathered dresses gliding down Pavilion Cambon in flat, backless black patent shoes. Once again, Chanel's palette was pretty muted, with icy tones like pale pink, blue or lilac. Also, the traditional boucle wool suits over narrow trousers that were played out at the start of the show, overlapped with Armani Prive's elements of a narrow shouldered silhouette and a downplay on the womanly figure.

Of course, other designers also stuck to the trend of nude colors, such as that of Givenchy's Tisci who presented a strikingly strong collection which balanced the hard with soft, feminine with technological and paid homage to Japanese dancer Kazuo Ohno.

Then there was Elie Saab who showed off delicate feminine dresses with light touches of embellishment, characteristic of couture pieces.

Couture week was not short of drama either, with Jean Paul Gaultier's outstanding collection that was inspired by Seventies punk meets Moulin Rouge.

Christian Dior's John Galliano showed a flamboyant collection featuring classic Dior looks of the Forties, with splashes of bright red and black that toned down to a pastel palette later on in the show. Referencing to that era were girls in updos and shawl-collared jackets cinched at the waist with wide alligator belts or peplum jackets with narrow waisted pencil skirts. This was contrasted with voluminous skirts under neat fitted bodices.

Probably Giorgio Armani's most architectural show, the Prive couture show was 'futuristic techno meets oriental' where jeweled colored dresses were stiff and sleek, with architectural lines and laser cuts that made the pieces look very streamlined. Huge slabs of embellishment and head gear gave a science fiction feel to the already futuristic looking outfits.

If Couture week is anything to go by, spring/summer 2011 is set to be a really exciting season for fashionistas everywhere.

Photos courtesy of Vogue

♥,
Fal