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Fashion Illustrations from Iconic Designers During Couture Week: A Showcase of Creativity and Artistry 

Written and illustrated by Anna Blachut

Fashion Forward: The World of Couture

As a Swiss luxury fashion blogger and fashion illustrator, I am constantly on the lookout for the latest fashion trends and inspiration. And there’s no better place to find it than at the world’s premier fashion weeks. Fashion Week is a highly anticipated event in the fashion industry, where the latest styles and trends are showcased by designers from all over the world. As a Swiss blogger and illustrator, I am particularly excited to share my thoughts on the latest fashion week events, and the ways in which they are influencing the world of fashion.

Fashion week, which takes place twice a year in major cities such as Paris, Milan, and New York, is the ultimate showcase for the latest designs and collections from the industry’s top designers. But for true fashion enthusiasts, the real highlight is couture week.

Couture week, which takes place in Paris, is a celebration of the highest level of craftsmanship and creativity in the fashion world. Designers present one-of-a-kind, hand-made garments that are created using the finest materials and techniques. It is truly a feast for the eyes and an inspiration for any fashion lover. Couture and fashion week are great opportunities to get inspired, but it’s important to remember that fashion is about expressing ourselves and our own personal style. 

Fashion is an art form that has captured the hearts and imaginations of people for centuries. From haute couture to streetwear, designers continue to push the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces. In this article, I take a closer look at the work of some of the most renowned fashion designers of our time, including Schiaparelli, Viktor and Rolf, Iris van Herpen, Valentino, Dior, and Chanel.

Fashion Illustrations and the Haute Couture Shows

Fashion illustration is an art form that captures the essence and beauty of fashion designs and haute couture shows. With its long history dating back to the 16th century, fashion illustration has played an integral role in the fashion world, showcasing the latest trends and styles to the world.

As a fashion illustrator and blogger, I have been particularly inspired by the work of designers such as Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli and Thierry Mugler this season, who have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the world of fashion. Their innovative designs, and unique twist on the runway, often incorporating cutting-edge technology and futuristic materials, have been a constant source of inspiration for me in my own work as a fashion illustrator. One of the most exciting aspects of working in the fashion industry is the level of creativity that is encouraged and embraced. From the avant-garde designs of Schiaparelli to the ethereal elegance of Miss Sohee’s debut couture show in Paris, there is never a shortage of inspiration for me to draw from.

In my opinion, fashion illustration is an art form in its own right. It allows us to capture the spirit and energy of the runway, and to bring to life the designs that are presented whilst using artistic interpretation to capture the essence of the movement, fabric, and the designer’s spirit. Through my illustrations, I hope to share my passion for fashion and my admiration for the incredible designers who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. The works of designers such as Viktor and Rolf, Iris van Herpen, Valentino, Dior, Patoi, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Schiaparelli, and Miss Sohee have consistently inspired me, and I have had the opportunity to bring my own interpretation of their designs to life through my illustrations.

I have always been enamored by the attention to detail and the intricate beauty of haute couture fashion. The level of craftsmanship and skill that goes into each garment is truly awe-inspiring, and as a fashion illustrator, it is an honor to be able to pay homage to these designers through my art. Through my illustrations, I aim to showcase the beauty, artistry, and elegance of haute couture fashion. I have taken the time to carefully study the designs of each of the aforementioned designers and have put my own unique spin on their work. My illustrations are a true reflection of my love and appreciation for the art of haute couture fashion.

As a passionate fashion illustrator and blogger, I have had the pleasure of observing and capturing the beauty and creativity of some of the most renowned haute couture fashion shows. I really enjoyed the FIDA Paris Fashion Week Couture Crits this season. It was an exciting opportunity, alongside more than 20 wonderfully talented fashion illustrators from around the world, where I drew the catwalk shows of Viktor and Rolf, Iris van Herpen, Valentino, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Schiaparelli. 

In conclusion, my love for haute couture fashion and my passion for illustration have come together to create a unique and exciting platform for me to share my work with the world. I hope that my illustrations and writing will continue to inspire and educate those who share my passion for haute couture fashion. I hope to continue to use my platform to promote and support the fashion industry, and to inspire others to pursue their own passions and creativity.

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J’adore Dior Garden Party

J’adore by Dior Parfum d’Eau launch party in Traumgarten by Anna Blachut from A Stylish Story

In early September I was invited to attend the new Dior fragrance launch on the Swiss market. The event took place in Traumgarten Thalwil, just a short ride outside of the Zurich city center.

The event was a celebration of the new parfum d’eau.

Traumgarten actually means “dream garden” in German, and this could not be more accurate. The setting was breathtaking, with koi fish curling around the bottom of a pond, Dior goodie bags piled high on lush green bushes, and flowers, and the new Dior parfum d’eau.

Why Parfum d’eau, not eau de parfum? This is indeed the unique selling point of this new Dior fragrance. It is the first-ever water-based fragrance. It is an alcohol-free fragrance. Instead of alcohol, it is an oil-based fragrance that needs to be shaken before being applied. The new Dior fragrance is a concentration of water and flowers.

In terms of advertising and imagery, the Dior J’adore fragrance has become synonymous with the famous actress Charlize Theron. She has been the face of numerous of the J’adore fragrance campaigns (and before her, Carmen Kass in the 90s). Charlize Theron continues to star in the international campaign launch for the new J’adore Parfum d’eau. But did you know that there will be local digital stars for this Dior Parfum launch? Earlier in the day, the Traumgarten served as a backdrop for the upcoming Dior digital campaign for the perfume in the Swiss market. They shot the most stunning images of the beautiful Swiss influencers Anna Maradan, Elvira Legrand, Lisa Starchak, Sindi Arifi, and Svenja Elena Steness.

The evening event started at 6, there was a garden quiz with prizes to win, delicious food and on each table, there was a white bouquet of Dior flowers along with the new J’adore Parfum d’eau for guests to sample. There was also a pop-up booth with makeup where you could try out the latest Dior Makeup collections with the help of professional makeup artists. There were also several backdrops where you could take your picture including a super fun photo booth, which I loved. Later on, there was a full official presentation of the new Dior fragrance along with a speech from the heads of the markets in the evening.

The theme of the evening reflected the new look of the Parfum d’Eau’s opaque white bottle with its elegant gold neck – the Dress Code was white with a touch of gold. For the event, I wore a Miu Miu white dress with a delicate bow detail along with a cream white tweed blazer, threaded with gold and embellished with a pearl trim. In terms of shoes, I wore a pair of white loafers with gold details. This is because we had been asked to wear comfortable shoes, this is because the garden setting meant that heels would be a tad more complex, and I am so happy I had flat shoes as it allowed me to explore the garden fully. For the event, I had done my makeup using only Dior products. In terms of the look, I did a soft glam look inspired by Lily-Rose Depp’s MET Gala makeup from 2019, so iconic and elegant.

The event was a wonderful moment, and I am so thankful to have been invited. Not to mention because when I was an illustration design student at The University of Edinburgh, my dissertation thesis was in fact on Dior and the iconic perfume ads created by the famous Franco-Italian fashion illustrator René Gruau. In this way, Dior will always truly hold a special place in my heart.