The world is in crisis, everywhere there are shops, supermarkets and factories closing down, but despite the world’s financial crisis a world of luxury and fantasy still fuels dreams. France is not immune to the financial crisis but Paris is still the capital of fashion and glamour, proof of that is the glamour of the haute couture spring collections for 2009. Maybe a bit more demure than in previous seasons; maybe less imposing but nonetheless glamorous, and easier to wear. Over fewer days than in previous years due to fewer catwalk presentations, the spring collection was mostly a battle of the major designers and Houses like Chanel, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and Givenchy. Many of the smaller houses could not afford to spend the amounts of money involved in a catwalk presentation.

Even for those who cannot afford the haute couture prizes Paris fashion is still a worldwide point of reference for what we will all be wearing in the Spring-Summer of 2009. We can all learn what the basics of the new season will be. So you can be one of the first ones to buy them when the prêt a porter and the high street collections come out. And if you are good with your needles and scissors you might even find inspiration in here for your spring dresses.

The Chanel 2009 spring collection is simple and easy to wear. Mini dresses, light colours and leggings for a modern look.

Galliano’s collection for Dior’s haute couture is glamorous and extremely feminine. The splashes of rich colour are luxurious. Even the shoes are full of colour and body, I love the orange shoes!

The collection emphasises a woman’s shape, tight at the waist with full skirts to give an hour glass silhouette. According to John Galliano, the collection is inspired by Dutch painters like Vermeer from the 17^th century, and by the romanticism of Dior’s 50’s collections. So we find an explosion of textures and colours against the more sober white and black used in the 50s.

One of the most feminine and daring collections for spring was the Jean Paul Gaultier collection which showed emphasis on transparencies, décolletage and swimming suit-inspired evening gowns.

There were also a lot of bullfighting and corsets influence which enhance a tall thin silhouette. Gaultier’s collection is rich in materials like embroidery, lace, tulle, feathers, velvet and satin. A mixture of styles and materials like the torero-style trousers made in see-through material are a clear example of Gaultier’s genius.

Mini dresses with tight skirts. Clear colours, asymmetries, pale yellows, veils, transparencies. A very elegant and easy to wear collection which shows off your curves.

Almost a monochromatic collection, Givenchy plays on textures. All the dresses were one colour but made from combining different materials.

• Light colours: white, cream, yellow, powder blue.
• Bright colours: red and orange.
• Transparencies.
• Mini dresses.
• 50’s influence: dresses with a marked waist and full skirts.
• High heels
• Monochromatic looks in only one material: like Chanel’s whites and Dior’s oranges.
• Monochromatic look with a variety of textures.