“soooo couture.” “couture chic.” “couture fab.”

i think we can all agree that the overuse of couture throughout the past few years has been crazyyyyy. we use it so much in the wrong ways that we may have forgotten the right way.

couture is handsewn beads, the finest silks and satin, breathtaking craftmanship and above all else exclusivity. but not that annoying fashion snobbery. exclusive in terms of the long hours, resources and manpower required to turn out thirty pieces of walking art. the couture world seems to diminish every season as budgets get tighter and perspectives become more practical. but if you love fashion, you love couture. it’s a simple equation.

giambattista valli was my favorite of the 2014 collections. it was youthful and sexy, crafted but wearable, and according to the designer inspired by the bad girl who rolls out of bed and right into her couture. helllllloooooo, mimi!

other beauties:

• zuhair murad
• schiaparelli
• christian dior

{all images from style.com}