Tribute : a Dream of French Royalty

It is 10 o'clock and I am absolutely alone in the garden of the French castle of Vaux le Vicomte, near Paris. It is already hot, but the peace of the place brings me a unique sensation of freedom.
As I walk along the statues, the geometrical bushes and the fountains, I try to imagine Kirsten Dunst and Sophia Coppola filming Marie Antoinette in the very same alleys.

Tonight, the castle will be illuminated by thousands of candles to recreate the fantastic atmosphere of the most gigantic party ever made for the King of France Louis XIV, in August 1661. According to History, it is after this party that the King, jealous of the splendor of Vaux le Vicomte, asked his men to arrest its owner.

Then, it has been a place of holidays and parties for the most elegant people of the world, from 18th century actress Adrienne Lecouvreur to American actress Eva Longoria, who got married there.

While visiting the luxurious appartments, I can easily imagine the rustling of the petticoats and the dresses of some ladies, rushing toward a dinner or a game.

These women, with their obsession for their outfits and details, started what we now know under the term of fashion.

The present French House of Haute Couture are all inspired by the attires of Marie Antoinette, Madame de Montespan or Diane de Poitiers : the details of their dresses can be found in the last collection of Givenchy and they would love to put some Louboutin on their feet ! Their taste for fashion became more democratic with the centuries, and still influences designers and women.

Some of the most brilliant French Haute Couture brands that keep the inheritance of the King of France's court :

Alexis Mabille ( last picture shows a dress from his Fall/Winter 2010-2011 collection )

André Courrèges

Balenciaga

Balmain

Chanel ( second picture shows a dress from its Fall/Winter 2010-2011 collection )

Chloé

Christian Lacroix

Dior ( first picture shows a dress inspired from a vintage Dior Couture dress )

Emanuel Ungaro ( third picture shows a dress inspired from a dress of his Spring/Summer 2010 collection )

Givenchy ( fourth picture shows a dress from its Fall/Winter 2010-2011 collection )

Guy Laroche

Hermès

Hervé Léger

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

Jean-Paul Gaultier

Louis Vuitton

Max Azria

Nina Ricci

Sonia Rykiel

Thierry Mugler

Yves Saint Laurent