Essence at Armani Privé, regal at Valli

(ANSA) - Rome, July 6 - The geometry of black-and-white patterns, silhouettes defined by subtly square shoulders and the bright touch of Swarovski crystal embroidery were essential parts of the storyline at the Armani Privé fall-winter 2016 haute couture show in Paris on Tuesday night.
    Giorgio Armani built up to a black-and-white vision that embraced the 'essence' of elegance, as the collection was named.
    The lineup played up a geometric shoulder line - an understated take on the current hype on sculptural shoulders - and a triangle shape for jackets.
    The black-and-white deco-style patterns for day gave way to black velvet for eveningwear, embracing soft Zouave pants and a dress with one bare shoulder and the other adorned with a puffed sleeve of striped fabric. Two mermaid-shaped gowns encrusted with Swarovski crystals had red-carpet momentum in this high-fashion game.
    A romantic, youthful play on a silhouette embracing the empire waistline and very short hems, combined regal and rock vibes at Giambattista Valli on Tuesday.
    Short lengths were balanced by oversized sleeves and ruffled shoulders while long gowns were diaphanous, with draperies and capes in shades embracing the pink of peonies and the red of rubies, set off by white.
    Bare midriffs peaked from outfits including a dreamy pink top with red trousers.
    The Atelier Versace show on Sunday night opened with a belted cashmere coat in blush pink, with mint green details, over a dark red bustier in a play on sexy layering that set the tone of the lineup.
    Draping was a key theme playing up the womanly vibe, adorning the asymmetric neckline of a black suit, a red sheath or a sequined gown.
    Pleating embraced the body, designing hips and the neckline while high-slit skirts added drama.
    Embroideries highlighted Atelier Versace's carefully engineered craftsmanship with paillettes encrusting the back of a coat and hourglass gowns.
    The collection combined elaborated elegance with high-octane femininity to pay homage, said designer Donatella Versace, to the "sophisticated elegance" of today's women - "their strength and allure".