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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Zoom on Resort: Valentino, Christopher Kane, and More

Florals for resort are expected, but Christopher Kane took a sci-fi approach to the blooms for his collection. Instead of the digital prints that have been popular for the past few seasons, Kane chose 3-D graphic renderings. The sweeping lines added a sense of delicacy to pieces, like this navy shift dress with its cobweblike bodice.

Valentino started off as a sedate collection of separates in subdued colors like navy and beige before becoming a neon scene. Incorporating technicolor camouflage, brightly hued dresses, and bold bags, the pieces were youthful and commanded attention. Toward the end, embroidered gowns were revamped by swapping normally sedate beading for eye-catching bits of hot pink, neon green, and acid yellow.

Over at Calvin Klein, Francisco Costa remained true to the house's minimalist aesthetic while turning up the sex appeal using crop tops and bralettes, revealing generous amounts of waistline. For the more practical girl, slim suede dresses in emerald, black, and navy looked incredibly soft and luxurious, while the opening ostrich coat was truly opulent. Click ahead to marvel at every last bump.

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Princess Madeleine Wed in Valentino and a Tiara

Another year, another royal wedding: Princess Madeleine of Sweden got married in Stockholm on Saturday in a gown by Valentino, who comes out of retirement every now and then for such occasions. (He's previously made wedding dresses for Jacqueline Onassis, Queen Maxima of Holland, Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, and, most recently, Anne Hathaway.) Should you be curious about the kind of wedding dress that neither you nor your friends will ever be able to afford, here's what it was made of, according to Valentino's press release:

The dress is created in silk organdies with applications of ivory Chantilly lace. The waist is emphasized by small vertical pleats that open and spread out on the full skirt with a 4-meter long train.  The veil, at 6-meters long, is silk organdies edged with tulle “point d’exprit” with an application of Chantilly lace flowers. The royal tiara is decorated with fresh orange blossoms.

Valentino's sketch of Princess Madeleine's dress.

Her new husband is Christopher O'Neill, a New York–based financier who has declined to have Swedish citizenship for the time being and thus will not be given a royal title. The couple says they will continue to live in New York "due to current obligations," but "will not exclude the possibility of moving to Sweden in due course."

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