Monday, May 3, 2010

Rag Report: A Night of Haute Couture

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness.

There are many definitions for art, and ELLE put two of them together. Ancient skeletons  and preserved spiders the size of your face appear alongside endless organza ruffles and waves of deep blue silk. Model Olga Sherer, photographed by Carter Smith, is dripping in jewels and swathed in couture gowns among artifacts in the American Museum of Natural History.

This editorial spread is high fashion meets Night at the Museum—in the best possible way. The Givenchy Haute Couture silk organza confection by Riccardo Tisci juxtaposed with a hulking elephant’s leathery skin highlights the vivid wave of purple fabric and the dazzling crystal encrusted bodice.

The contrast of the eerie modern glass displays of bugs and reptiles and the timeless old world sophistication of a swirling Atelier Versace gown is a welcome shock to the system. However, the look is far from jarring; the colors complement each other so that every look fits in naturally. The delicate pearl necklace is an arrow to the sculptural lines and unusual feather motif of the dress.

The museum as the setting for the photo shoot caught our eyes immediately. Sherer’s calm and serene facial expression makes us think of the quiet respect you adopt when entering an exhibit. It is the same feeling you get when you fall in love with a stunning ball gown as it emerges on the runway.

- Lindsey Mather

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