The 18 Most Gorgeous Gowns from Paris Haute Couture Week Fall 2012

While most critics were none too pleased with Mabille‘s Fall Couture collection as a whole, a few winners were singled out including this stunning body-hugging black dress that featured sexy lace appliques and mysterious bat-wing sleeves.

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Raf Simons debuted his first Haute Couture Collection for Christian Dior to a huge fashion crowd including Marc Jacobs, DVF, Donatella Versace, and Alber Elbaz. Like his opulent show which featured thousands upon thousands of flowers, his collection was magnificent and unlike anything ever shown. This stunning pink number was a crowd favorite as it showed off a classic Dior silhouette.

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Beyond luxe, Simons displayed a royal blue fur gown that appeared to have been made for the likes of royalty.

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Another gorgeous Dior number, this time in the form of a dramatic midnight blue ball gown with a sheer fitted black top.

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Deemed “New Vintage” by Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel‘s Fall Haute Couture 2012 line was filled with the most decadent glamour from head to hosiery which included sparkling metallic tights. Anja Rubik showed off one of the night’s most riveting looks which looked both futuristic and retro, a combination that worked fluidly into exquisite eveningwear.

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Lindsey Wixson closed the Chanel show in the most dramatic wedding gown to date which featured a huge feather skirt. Extravagant as always, the Chanel finale showed the fashion world its definition of killer couture bride.

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The fashion godfather of the celebrity red carpet, Elie Saab showed one of his prettiest and lightest collections to date. Using an abundance of delicate fabrics such as Chantilly lace and silk jacquards that looked gold leafed, Saab showcased soft shades of pink blue and gold. One of the night’s prettiest numbers included this gorgeous gown that looked straight out of a fairy tale.

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Saab shows his talent for extravagant embellishments on this dress modeled by fashion’s darling, Karlie Kloss, who also happened to open the show.

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Giambattista Valli employed bucolic prints to play up the house’s over-the-top ruffles. Layers upon layers of organza ruffles felt surreal, dream-like, but more importantly, haute couture.

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While most of the looks from Valli’s collection featured volume times more volume, a few gowns showed off the house’s more sensual side. This forest green gown belted with gold leaves felt magical and dream-like.

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Georges Chakra showed off his eveningwear chops with his Fall 2012 Haute Couture collection that was filled with exquisite gowns and over-the-top frocks. One of Chakra’s favored hues of the night included a deep crimson red, as seen on this decadent gown.

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Another stunning embellished gown from Georges Chakra‘s Haute Couture Collection. Sequins, tulle, and organza done in majestic black and purple makes for a seductive evening gown that can easily be seen on the likes of Anne Hathaway and Nina Dobrev.

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Inspired by gypsies of Southern Italy, Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci presented a Fall 2012 collection of intricate beading and detailing. The collection focused on structured shapes in earthy tones of chestnut, ocre, terracotta, and rosy red. Additionally, Tisci kept the collection thoroughly modern with sweeping capes.

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Givenchy’s Haute Couture collection showcased luxurious pieces that, while streamlined, felt decadent and regal. Monochrome separates in natural tones like this number kept the looks elegant and sophisticated.

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Jaw-dropping eveningwear was seen at Zuhair Murad‘s Fall 2012 Haute Couture Collection. Embellishments abound, amid heavenly fabrics, including organza and lace. Murad presented exquisite gowns such as this royal blue dress encrusted with jewels and brilliant stones.

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While Murad‘s talent heavily lies on embellishments and luxurious fabrics, for this collection he also showed off gorgeous and lively prints like this stunning evening gown that was enhanced in beauty by the fluidity and movement of the gown’s silhouette. 

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Donatella Versace kicked off Fall 2012 Haute Couture Week with a bang, displaying show-stopping gowns meant for Hollywood bombshells like Jennifer Lopez and Sophia Vergara.  Most of the gowns felt very Versace, with hip-high slits, pastel chain mail, and a silhouette meant for svelte figures that tightened at the waist while cupping the breast. Karlie Kloss showed off one of the collection’s biggest and most seductive numbers, a beaded evening gown that revealed more than just a hint of skin with nude chiffon fabric.

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For their Fall 2012 Haute Couture collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli showed off a darker and more mysterious side to the Valentino woman. Explained by Piccioli as “sensual but severe,” the collection felt decadent, romantic, but more importantly, moody. Full length lace and chiffon dresses were adorned with jewel-encrusted capes that felt both lush and sober. Dark colors, especially the midnight blue, gave the clothes a sense of introversion that was different from anything seen in the past.

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