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Luxury still sells
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Luxury still sells

Christian Dior opened its first Australasian flagship boutique in Sydney last week, reflecting continued demand for luxury fashion despite the tough economic climate.

Paris Fashion Week: Christian Dior F/W 2013
Lifestyle

Paris Fashion Week: Christian Dior F/W 2013

Raf Simons confidently evolved the angular portions of previous seasons' work into softer, more saleable silhouettes. The new Bar jacket, looser and in trendy wool denim, seemed to point to a man who's finally settled in to his role. This season was the supplest fusion so far of his minimalism and the house's ultra-femininity and curves. Fall-winter saw a parade of "memory dresses," some 48 looks that delved into the iconic houndstooth, peplums, and the original '40s designs of Monsieur Dior himself. They hit the catwalk reimagined, sometimes asymmetrically, alongside enormous mirror ball decor. Overall, the show was a success; one step further on in Dior's mission statement for the designer, to "propel its iconic style into the 21st century."

Paris Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 2013
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Paris Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 2013

Clothes as body armour was the concept behind Jean Paul Gaultier's rather dizzying Paris show. A play on voluminous layers of leather, fur, silks, chiffon and even knits - both hanging and enveloping the body - constructed a protective silhouette over models. It all made for a varied collection with some great looks, but one that was frustratingly hard to pin down. Graphic 80s elements, such as Polaroid-type prints, followed a long sheer chiffon dress in eggplant with '70s pleats. Long stripy scarves accompanied a tartan dress. And studded leather bustier tops with '50s peplums could easily have come from another collection altogether. Gaultier explained backstage: "It was also the idea of patchwork."

SAG red carpet: Highs & lows
Lifestyle

SAG red carpet: Highs & lows

In the lull between the Golden Globes and the Oscars, Hollywood's hottest step out for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Life & Style Editor Nicky Park has sifted through the red carpet snaps to find her loves, loathes and those in limbo.

Valentino Couture Spring 2013
Lifestyle

Valentino Couture Spring 2013

Delicacy, nature, architecture and timeless, effortless beauty. Those words describe one of the most sumptuous displays seen this season - courtesy of Valentino. Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, and their indefatigable Italian seamstresses, surpassed even themselves perfecting the delicate Valentino silhouette by subtly softening it and exposing more of the neck. The designers said they were inspired by a garden.

Elie Saab Couture Spring 2013
Lifestyle

Elie Saab Couture Spring 2013

Elie Saab has accustomed us to his rich embroidery, his threads of silk, his sequins, stones and crystals, but this time, he excelled in the delicacy, lightness and transparency.