Gucci kicked-off Milan Fashion Week with a rocking collection for Fall 2011.  Fur, chiffon and satin were center-stage.  This was luxury on a grand scale.  The colors were rich and vibrant, bordering on decadent – raspberry, strawberry and turquoise.  Even the furs came in vivid and covetable colors.  Fabulous trousers tailored to perfection in neutral gray had ne longing for Fall 2011.  Accessories were cast in the supporting role, but they were equally desirable – handbags, hats and sunglasses.  Milan Fashion Week was off to an auspicious start. 

Salma Hayek had the honor of wearing the first Gucci couture gown on the red carpet.  The actress wore the gown to the movie premiere of Robin Hood at Cannes Film Festival.  She was accompanied by her husband Francois-Henri Pinalt, who happens to be the CEO of PPR, the owner of Gucci Group.  Salma looks stunning in the “floor length bordeaux silk georgette one shoulder gown with hip, back and shoulder drape detail [that] also features deep red crystal embroidery at the shoulder and waist,” as described by the company.  We have anecdotal evidence  the couture market is no longer a thriving business.  The closing of Christian Lacroix’s Couture House, and just a couple of weeks ago Oscar de la Renta stated  ”[c]outure has become completely irrelevant.”  Fortunately for Gucci, Hollywood stars still walk the red carpet and they bring a massive amount of publicity to the couture houses.  Having a famous movie star like Salma Hayek as your muse definitely has its perks.

Survival of the Finest [WSJ]