You would be forgiven for thinking the latest Christian Dior haute couture collection was a Spring/Summer collection not the latest Autumn/Winter range. Eccentric designer John Galliano unveiled the 2010 A/W in Paris this week which featured pretty layered skirts, a riot of colours and textures as well as harking back to ballgowns of the forties and fifties with a firm nod to classical glamour.

The sumptuous dresses ranged from tulip like knee lengthed to full sweeping peonies inspired gowns but all gave the impression of upside down flowers with layers, degradé and ruffles creating a full petaled look. Rich shades of burgundy to deep purple as well as bright yellows, poppy reds and cornflower blues sashayed down the runway. Models were adorned with millinery from Londoner Stephen Jones that reflected bright cellophane giving the overall impression that they were an upside down bouquet of flowers.

There was a definite vintage feel as Galliano had raided the back catalogues of Dior for inspiration. He reinvented the 1953 Tulip Line and the New Look of Dior’s post-war collection of 1947 that Dior said he had designed for ‘flower women’. They featured full skirts that cut in to highlight tiny cinched waists and softly draped across shoulders – a shape echoed in Galliano’s latest collection.

“I’m having a floral moment,” Galliano said as he embraced the theme, taking to the catwalk in an outfit that could be described as a dandy country gardener.

American actress Jessica Alba, who was seated in the front row of the show said: “I loved it, I want to be every flower in Galliano’s garden.” So do we but with gowns starting at around £30,000 we may have to wait for the ready-to-wear collection or the High Street interpretation!

Regardless this is a return to what haute couture glamour should be all about – long live haute couture!

[picture credits: lucianoburgos]

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