Haute Couture fashion week in Paris is our brief window into another world, where wardrobes are custom made, filled with intricate one-of-a-kind pieces that cost hundreds and thousands and are made with the most luxurious fabrics and techniques.

Aganovich - Foto by Konrad Czajkowski
This year, emerging new label Aganovich showed for the first time, highlighting the importance of fabric to the couture kingdom, with a very high-end reinterpretation of their most recent Ready-to-Wear collection. And, bringing a global element to Haute Couture week, African designer Imane Ayissi used his SS19 collection to dismantle the stereotypes that exist in reference to his home continent. Ayissi used traditional African textiles to create beautifully colourful couture pieces, that represent the diversity of Africa.

Imane Ayissi foto by Konrad Czajkowski
The was a distinct air of romance at Azulant Akora’s show, where the African Australian designer explores Avatar-esque ideas of balance, giving back and respecting nature, and romance was also reborn at Patrick Pham, where blush pinks and dusty blues were used with silk, velvet, lace, cashmere and tulle to reveal the true nature, adventure and love of a woman.

Azulant Akura foto by Jack Stouvenin
On course, Haute Couture is also about rejecting fast fashion, which was epitomised at Dior where artistic director, Maria Grazia Chiuri made this year’s looks more modern, lighter and wearable.

Patrick Pham foto by Konrad CzajKowski