Zoom on Couture: Valentino, Margiela, and More

Couture may only be a brief few days but each spectacular show is filled with intricate details begging for a second glance. Today at Valentino, models resembled modern-day Renaissance princesses, clad in elaborate lace and fur-trimmed gowns, herringbone tweed cloaks, and sumptuous embroidered silks and jacquards. The closing gown combined rich wine velvet with a skirt covered in all manners of flora and fauna. Over at Maison Martin Margiela, the theme was elegant kitsch; masks came in an array of materials, including one over-the-top creation covered in flowers that merged seamlessly to form a breastplate of sorts.

Shows traditionally close with the presentation of the la mariée, and Elie Saab and Jean Paul Gaultier offered up two very different visions of the bride. At Saab, it was pure glitz and glamour with a sparkling gold veil so massively encrusted with rhinestones, it required three bridesmaids to adequately assist the bride as she made her grand entrance. Gaultier went the humorous route, citing a Fellini film on circus performers as an inspiration with a clown-like hat taking the place of a veil and a voluminous jumpsuit in lieu of a gown. Naturally, the leg had a hearty heaping of beading. Click ahead to see these, along with what you may have missed so far, in greater detail.

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Elegant Kitsch on Display at Maison Margiela Couture

The secondhand vintage on display at Maison Martin Margiela couture show was as elegant as it was playfully weird. As usual, the elusive Belgian designer collective kept his models' identity under wraps with face-masks; this time, they were beaded, sequined, and adorned with fabric flowers. Those brilliantly exaggerated masks, paired with a collection made from reworked vintage fabrics and appliques, continued to demonstrate the house's expertise when it comes to tailoring. As noted by WWD, they might have presented the greenest collection this week by recycling decades-old clothing.

Rare finds, like pastel fifties-era prom dresses, were reworked into cheerful, sheer voluminous coats; a costume worn by a thirties-era Beijing Opera star was turned into a sumptuous floor-length smoking jacket. To switch it up even more, Margiela also threw in high-concept casual looks including low-slung jeans and modern latex trench coats, T-shirts, and pants that actually looked wearable. Click through our slideshow for all the floral and bedazzled masks you can handle.

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