The Ballet

Celia Kritharioti Paris Couture Week AW19

A beautiful ballerina transforms the Palais de Tokyo in Paris into a stage. With each twirl, she announces the commencement of the much anticipated Celia Kritharioti couture show. The energy in the room had been one of buzzing excitement for a good 30 minutes prior to this moment. How will Celia top her famous balloon veil? The crowd hushes and watches, mesmerized by the ballerina’s graceful and refined movements. The first look peeks out of back stage.

Greek couturier, Celia Kritharioti carries on the tradition of couture in the oldest Greek couture house in the world. Founded in 1906 the house has a long heritage of custom made glamour for red carpet clients, very special occasions and even the Greek National Opera’s productions of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Swan Lake”. Even at her first Paris Couture Week show, Celia Kritharioti had caught the attention of both Vogue Magazine and Vanity Fair. When she debuted in January 2017 Vogue said of her collection that it “…served to fulfill every couture fantasy.”. This aesthetic is still very much so for this AW19/20 show.

The first model emerged in a pale blush corseted ballerina dress. If ever a tutu looked too fancy to dance in, this would be the one. The show progressed into silhouettes that echoed 1950s Dior, redesigned with sheer tulle skirts.  The models strut down the runway in such a succession that it told a story of enchanted drama. Neutral tones designed with the complexity of a symphony. My personal favorite is a silver paillette bodysuit with a billowing pink tulle skirt. It feels like if Beyoncé performed at a ballet, this would be her costume. It is both overly dramatic and girlishly shy. Celia Kritharioti truly produced an exquisite collection full of juxtapositions and intrigue.