As a fashion student I used to watch catwalk shows all the time, not in person obviously but online and on FTV (Fashion tv) basically every chance I got. 

If my now ex-husband was out partying and I was home with sleeping babies diligently doing my assignments, I'd have FTV on the TV or a catwalk show playing on YouTube. And I obviously had my favourites. Dior, Chanel, Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab, Valentino, Georges Hobeika, Galliano, Givenchy, Gaultier, Basil Soda, Georges Chakra, I could go on for ages. I completely immersed myself, I loved the beading, the fabric manipulating, the tailoring, the music and theatricals. I loved trying to spot the trends, trying to work out how it was made, some of the shows even fueled my desire to learn millinery so much more, I loved it. So even now when I look for inspiration, the catwalks is one of my favourite places to look for styling ideas, after all, all fashion starts with a great designer on the catwalk and slowly trickles down to fast fashion from there.

So if you've chosen a hat, possibly with a wide Dior brim, or a top hat, a picture hat or even a saucer hat, and you want to up four millinery game or bring some theatrics to your outfit, then possibly check out these gorgeous catwalk shows and just look at how the greats style them. Check out the silhouettes and colour combinations, the accessories, the hair, all of these things combine make a stunning outfit. If nothing else, then these shows are a feast for the eyes.

Dior

Christian Dior, a renowned French fashion designer, established the Christian Dior brand in 1946. Born into a wealthy family, Dior initially trained for the French foreign service but shifted his focus to fashion illustration in the 1930s. In 1947, he unveiled his first collection, famously known as the "New Look," characterized by its feminine and elegant style. Dior quickly rose to become one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, renowned for his creation of glamorous and sophisticated clothing, accessories, and perfumes.

Following Dior's passing, the House of Dior saw three previous Creative Directors before John Galliano took the helm. Galliano, born in Gibraltar to a Gibraltarian father of Italian heritage and a Spanish mother, pursued his studies at Central Saint Martins and graduated in 1984 with first-class honors in Fashion Design. His final collection at Central Saint Martins, titled "Les Incroyables," drew inspiration from the French Revolution.

In October 1996, Galliano was appointed by LVMH as the successor to Italian designer Gianfranco Ferré at Christian Dior. During his tenure at Dior, Galliano received widespread critical acclaim for his Haute Couture and ready-to-wear collections, which spanned his entire time there. Notably, he designed the striking chartreuse gown with chinoiserie influences worn by Nicole Kidman at the 69th Academy Awards in 1997. In 2010, Galliano emphasized his affinity for theater and femininity as integral elements of his creative vision, describing his role as one of seduction and citing Standard Oil heiress Millicent Rogers as a significant influence.

Galliano's collections in 2009 and 2010 paid homage to Dior's original designers while incorporating modern twists. These collections skillfully combined top hats with impeccably tailored garments, as well as featured full skirts paired with flamboyant oversized hats, creating a captivating fusion of classic and contemporary aesthetics.

Let's start with a Dior Haute Couture Fall Winter from 2009

  • picture of a catwalk model from Christian Dior AW 2009.
  • picture of a catwalk model from Christian Dior AW 2009.
  • picture of a catwalk model from Christian Dior AW 2009.
  • picture of a catwalk model from Christian Dior AW 2009.
  • picture of a catwalk model from Christian Dior AW 2009.
  • picture of a catwalk model from Christian Dior AW 2009.
  • picture of a catwalk model from Christian Dior AW 2009.
  • A picture of a catwalk model from Christian Dior AW 2009.
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Dior Haute Couture Fall Winter 2009

Another older Dior one, Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010

  • A picture of a catwalk model from Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model from Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model from Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model from Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model from Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model from Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model from Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model from Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010 show.

Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2010

Zuhair Murad

Zuhair Murad, a renowned clothing designer from Lebanon based in Beirut, has gained global recognition and popularity, particularly among Hollywood celebrities. His captivating designs have made him a favorite choice for red carpet events, with numerous famous individuals opting to wear his creations.

According to Murad's mother, his artistic journey began at the tender age of three when he started expressing his talent through drawings. By the time he reached ten years old, he had already started creating fashion illustrations. It was at the age of fifteen that Murad made the pivotal decision to pursue a career in fashion design, drawing inspiration from iconic figures such as Christian Dior, Schiaparelli, Balmain, and Balenciaga.

After completing his high school education, Murad relocated from Beirut to France, where he obtained a degree in fashion design from a prestigious institute in Paris. In 1999, he made a remarkable debut with his acclaimed collection on the catwalks of Rome, earning him a coveted place in the esteemed Italian almanac.

Since then, Murad has continued to create numerous captivating catwalk shows, while also adorning his designs on the illustrious Hollywood Red Carpet and being embraced by royalty across the globe. One aspect of his designs that stands out to me is the exquisite beading and embroidery work. Additionally, the following two collections exemplify how beautifully beaded and embroidered garments can harmonize with wide-brimmed hats, particularly when both the garment and the hat possess a well-defined structure. The hats, with their structured yet understated designs, perfectly complement the ornate garments.

A look into Zuhair Murads Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show features some stunning styling ideas with a fedora.

  • A picture of a catwalk model at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016 show.

Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2016

 Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 had some incredibly elegant millinery looks.

  • A picture of a catwalk model at Zuhair Murads Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at Zuhair Murads Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at Zuhair Murads Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model at Zuhair Murads Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show.

 Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023

Balmain

Established in post-war Paris, Pierre Balmain's eponymous
fashion house played a pivotal role in revolutionizing French style. Balmain's
inaugural show in October 1945, preceding Christian Dior's 'New Look' by two
years, introduced figure-enhancing silhouettes that featured bell-shaped skirts
cinched at the waist. By 1947, Balmain had emerged as a globally influential
powerhouse, leading the way in fashion's newfound liberation. To this day,
Pierre Balmain's iconic style codes, exemplified by the 'Jolie Madame'
aesthetic, remain at the core of the brand, with the distinctive tailored
Balmain jackets retaining the timeless shape of their 1940s predecessors.

Over the years, Balmain has been guided by seven additional
Heads of Design following Pierre Balmain's illustrious reign. In 1994, the
renowned Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta brought his own interpretation of
elegance to the house with his highly acclaimed debut couture collection. While
de la Renta's designs were beautiful, they leaned towards a more conventional
expression of femininity and did not take the same bold risks as the
contemporary Balmain we witness today.

In 2011, Olivier Rousteing, at the young age of 25, joined
Balmain as the Head Designer with a clear intention: to revitalize Pierre
Balmain's design principles for the modern woman. Rousteing embarked on his
career at the age of 18 as a graduate intern at Roberto Cavalli, eventually
rising through the ranks to become one of Head Designer Peter Dundas' standout
protégés. Recognized as a visionary, Rousteing's collections for Roberto
Cavalli showcased his ability to balance his avant-garde inclinations with the
label's penchant for opulence, a skill he would continue to master at Balmain.

Rousteing's creations at Balmain celebrated the allure of
the female form, with sensual necklines and a meticulous attention to detail.
The first half of his range presented dynamic black-and-white ensembles for the
modern woman, incorporating contemporary materials with a lavish sheen. Vibrant
teal mohair outfits followed suit, alongside aviation-inspired checkered
uniforms, lightweight summer dresses, and resplendent silk eveningwear that
radiated regal elegance under the spotlight. Furthermore, Rousteing's masterful
craftsmanship brought garments to life with pearl accents, intricately
outlining the human proportions, while others blossomed with sheer coatings
that unveiled delicate figures beneath. Notably, his structurally designed hats
harmonized beautifully with the tailored yet opulent fabrics showcased in his
Autumn/Winter 2023/24 catwalk show.

Balmain featured a wide brim sloped hat in their Haute Couture Fall Winter 2023/2024 show with various styling options.

  • A picture of a catwalk model in the Balmain Fall Winter 2023/2024 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model in the Balmain Fall Winter 2023/2024 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model in the Balmain Fall Winter 2023/2024 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model in the Balmain Fall Winter 2023/2024 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model in the Balmain Fall Winter 2023/2024 show.
  • A picture of a catwalk model in the Balmain Fall Winter 2023/2024 show.
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Haute Couture Fall Winter 2023/2024

In this blog post, we explore three captivating haute
couture catwalk designers that serve as a treasure trove of inspiration for
millinery enthusiasts. Each show presents unique and exquisite designs that
showcase the artistry and creativity of the designers involved. From intricate
headpieces adorned with feathers and embellishments to sleek and structured
designs, these shows offer a glimpse into the world of high fashion and provide
valuable ideas for creating stunning headwear. Whether you're a seasoned
Fashions on the Field Entrant or new to the millinery scene, these shows will
undoubtedly spark your imagination and help you discover new possibilities for
your own millinery ensembles.

If you liked these video, you might like this collection of wide brim hats

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