![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VABXDZ35NNFTLM5FACXNMSCYOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=139b394b7fc9b7361bdf571ee714fd646da0405e967e6ba12e4dac4cca852de4&width=400&height=225)
High-octane glamour at Azzaro. Photo: Azzaro
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L4PNO6PW2JHIHLJVW6TE4EXAFQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=9000ab08fa90bb92d66f3999e98823e4c09fd024fdc2d84dbb3fc46d59d46c21&width=400&height=225)
For Valentino's spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection, Pierpaolo Piccioli created looks for a range of body shapes and sizes. Photo: Valentino
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K6R7WLJFO5CCXNTBI5VGOCWA5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=40638fe78c2892954f991d3a44772d259dc176f0d5efe06a2a4193256ab2d1bf&width=400&height=225)
Valentino's spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection was dubbed Anatomy of Couture. Photo: Valentino
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VP4XOK64QFEYXMAZCBGTMMYL4U.jpg?smart=true&auth=b3f553964ce3f74a476ff833c4cc7df659832c36ca17ecddc95b690295ed2db8&width=400&height=225)
The collection also featured Piccioli's signature pops of colour. Photo: Valentino
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XIZC2FJZ4JB2TJOXXSEEONMOUY.jpg?smart=true&auth=932753bfca86c6d52c80292ae222a4425323704e8f91071b810b6fc9df709937&width=400&height=225)
A look from Valentino's spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection. Photo: Valentino
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6RX3RHEJMOQINS5V27RT5ACIQY.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d35c79cf7cdb2bc55e1d660ab8e71c9ee7d0b0d9ad4983bb28c7e6b3855bb96&width=400&height=225)
Maria Grazia Chiuri presented a muted palette of black, white and Dior grey. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PFLXIM5EFAQA6F62G23Q4JVLTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=73e82832c1467bdfc1beeef2c17d77daab73b29ef734cd075554ea15f4670fc1&width=400&height=225)
The Dior look was quiet and controlled, with long sleek capes, pleated dresses and trouser suits. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PU6G3SF5VGRKSOGIEYPX5BSP6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=77e39058d5952537c4758cd56864af7d927018d551870411ba7aaea3d56a9106&width=400&height=225)
PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 24: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 24, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow / Getty Images)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZXNPRZIWVRODV5J6GQIYXMSXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=09c439522434ca55f6e9168f8f4ea99c21696e44ee64eff22565eda10ce3006a&width=400&height=225)
A look from Dior's spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IAPJ4RNRU5G5JFXE7DRZX3GCYE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d196befc6a4928075eae1b8048d1afb1dd04d5bdcd4197f45a21d6b94d7cbe0b&width=400&height=225)
A look from Rami Kadi's haute couture spring/summer 2022 collection. Photo: Rami Kadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WG6EOKDSXRBEHOBAARMRA27MW4.jpg?smart=true&auth=51a013e07e57cc0d0fb0b056488134a79d9f4218bbf8cd3d70727eaa35ebdd2c&width=400&height=225)
Rami Kadi’s haute couture spring/summer 2022 collection was 'co-designed' with his computer. Photo: Rami Kadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G6WCVLUS3RA6ZMXUUS4MGAX2RM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea46a694bd49f4e9ad78be026c6bf426038a3f0f6f29974bd9fa690e49d03d75&width=400&height=225)
A feathered dress by Rami Kadi. Photo: Rami Kadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KIYNGRQRKZDVDIBIYEPDSKRGDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=eeb7808a0bf7fb62a48c2d995ccdad7e65015ad2805159d37215b0a1a6c9b9a1&width=400&height=225)
Alexandre Vauthier served up party wear. Photo: Alexandre Vauthier
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N4TBQHL74VCIPBVGKBKWYEY77I.jpg?smart=true&auth=0c7a6cc4c9fe1cea07bfa2cab2de445fbfaa4ec300742553201774ac3628a551&width=400&height=225)
A feathered dress on the Alexandre Vauthier runway. Photo: Alexandre Vauthier
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GQY65H6JRRBABP5SFN4D4POMLY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4a3e4b53ed7ac8c1a3d4a10cfd9b4e49cd0b50f49ad750fc223643e2006f3ed9&width=400&height=225)
A look from Maison Rabih Kayrouz. Photo: Mathieu Maury
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VJQ34JUMNFCPNJS7MBVDHZ7UPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=e1acf1871ef9c30dee734ba1eaf31818650c9d3e9f1a26d0e938a1f920d295c1&width=400&height=225)
Rabih Kayrouz's collection featured luxurious brocades. Photo: Mathieu Maury
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LLWFBEXDY5DNNPPLAVMIO46S2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=8cbc2324e584abc3e73ed02e02cc14e49434410a3375dae3d2a7199fea392e66&width=400&height=225)
Schiaparelli's collection was graphically portrayed in black, white and gold. Photo: Schiaparelli
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6CVMD533NFBLDLH2ZBMGFTPEBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=14879cc795e29569bd1ff9d39b5108e085a00bd7693829eda114f0e4cf2d2b4f&width=400&height=225)
Sculptural elements nodded to Schiaparelli's surrealist roots. Photo: Schiaparelli
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IF6TTFOHTJGE7EZFNL3V7I5ZMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e4a36a8fbd5e3c59cbb8ad3c2de9e7388f8fb6be379be54bda45b1ae326a11f2&width=400&height=225)
Founded in the 1970s by Loris Azzaro, the maison Azzaro is famed for its shiny evening wear. Photo: Azzaro
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VABXDZ35NNFTLM5FACXNMSCYOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=139b394b7fc9b7361bdf571ee714fd646da0405e967e6ba12e4dac4cca852de4&width=400&height=225)
High-octane glamour at Azzaro. Photo: Azzaro
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L4PNO6PW2JHIHLJVW6TE4EXAFQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=9000ab08fa90bb92d66f3999e98823e4c09fd024fdc2d84dbb3fc46d59d46c21&width=400&height=225)
For Valentino's spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection, Pierpaolo Piccioli created looks for a range of body shapes and sizes. Photo: Valentino
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K6R7WLJFO5CCXNTBI5VGOCWA5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=40638fe78c2892954f991d3a44772d259dc176f0d5efe06a2a4193256ab2d1bf&width=400&height=225)
Valentino's spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection was dubbed Anatomy of Couture. Photo: Valentino
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VP4XOK64QFEYXMAZCBGTMMYL4U.jpg?smart=true&auth=b3f553964ce3f74a476ff833c4cc7df659832c36ca17ecddc95b690295ed2db8&width=400&height=225)
The collection also featured Piccioli's signature pops of colour. Photo: Valentino
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XIZC2FJZ4JB2TJOXXSEEONMOUY.jpg?smart=true&auth=932753bfca86c6d52c80292ae222a4425323704e8f91071b810b6fc9df709937&width=400&height=225)
A look from Valentino's spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection. Photo: Valentino
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6RX3RHEJMOQINS5V27RT5ACIQY.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d35c79cf7cdb2bc55e1d660ab8e71c9ee7d0b0d9ad4983bb28c7e6b3855bb96&width=400&height=225)
Maria Grazia Chiuri presented a muted palette of black, white and Dior grey. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PFLXIM5EFAQA6F62G23Q4JVLTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=73e82832c1467bdfc1beeef2c17d77daab73b29ef734cd075554ea15f4670fc1&width=400&height=225)
The Dior look was quiet and controlled, with long sleek capes, pleated dresses and trouser suits. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PU6G3SF5VGRKSOGIEYPX5BSP6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=77e39058d5952537c4758cd56864af7d927018d551870411ba7aaea3d56a9106&width=400&height=225)
PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 24: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 24, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow / Getty Images)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZXNPRZIWVRODV5J6GQIYXMSXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=09c439522434ca55f6e9168f8f4ea99c21696e44ee64eff22565eda10ce3006a&width=400&height=225)
A look from Dior's spring/summer 2022 haute couture collection. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IAPJ4RNRU5G5JFXE7DRZX3GCYE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d196befc6a4928075eae1b8048d1afb1dd04d5bdcd4197f45a21d6b94d7cbe0b&width=400&height=225)
A look from Rami Kadi's haute couture spring/summer 2022 collection. Photo: Rami Kadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WG6EOKDSXRBEHOBAARMRA27MW4.jpg?smart=true&auth=51a013e07e57cc0d0fb0b056488134a79d9f4218bbf8cd3d70727eaa35ebdd2c&width=400&height=225)
Rami Kadi’s haute couture spring/summer 2022 collection was 'co-designed' with his computer. Photo: Rami Kadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G6WCVLUS3RA6ZMXUUS4MGAX2RM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea46a694bd49f4e9ad78be026c6bf426038a3f0f6f29974bd9fa690e49d03d75&width=400&height=225)
A feathered dress by Rami Kadi. Photo: Rami Kadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KIYNGRQRKZDVDIBIYEPDSKRGDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=eeb7808a0bf7fb62a48c2d995ccdad7e65015ad2805159d37215b0a1a6c9b9a1&width=400&height=225)
Alexandre Vauthier served up party wear. Photo: Alexandre Vauthier
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N4TBQHL74VCIPBVGKBKWYEY77I.jpg?smart=true&auth=0c7a6cc4c9fe1cea07bfa2cab2de445fbfaa4ec300742553201774ac3628a551&width=400&height=225)
A feathered dress on the Alexandre Vauthier runway. Photo: Alexandre Vauthier
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GQY65H6JRRBABP5SFN4D4POMLY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4a3e4b53ed7ac8c1a3d4a10cfd9b4e49cd0b50f49ad750fc223643e2006f3ed9&width=400&height=225)
A look from Maison Rabih Kayrouz. Photo: Mathieu Maury
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VJQ34JUMNFCPNJS7MBVDHZ7UPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=e1acf1871ef9c30dee734ba1eaf31818650c9d3e9f1a26d0e938a1f920d295c1&width=400&height=225)
Rabih Kayrouz's collection featured luxurious brocades. Photo: Mathieu Maury
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LLWFBEXDY5DNNPPLAVMIO46S2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=8cbc2324e584abc3e73ed02e02cc14e49434410a3375dae3d2a7199fea392e66&width=400&height=225)
Schiaparelli's collection was graphically portrayed in black, white and gold. Photo: Schiaparelli
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6CVMD533NFBLDLH2ZBMGFTPEBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=14879cc795e29569bd1ff9d39b5108e085a00bd7693829eda114f0e4cf2d2b4f&width=400&height=225)
Sculptural elements nodded to Schiaparelli's surrealist roots. Photo: Schiaparelli
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IF6TTFOHTJGE7EZFNL3V7I5ZMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e4a36a8fbd5e3c59cbb8ad3c2de9e7388f8fb6be379be54bda45b1ae326a11f2&width=400&height=225)
Founded in the 1970s by Loris Azzaro, the maison Azzaro is famed for its shiny evening wear. Photo: Azzaro
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VABXDZ35NNFTLM5FACXNMSCYOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=139b394b7fc9b7361bdf571ee714fd646da0405e967e6ba12e4dac4cca852de4&width=400&height=225)
High-octane glamour at Azzaro. Photo: Azzaro
The birth of haute couture: a brief history
From Gabrielle Chanel and Cristobal Balenciaga to Maria Grazia Chiuri and Demna Gvasgalia, a timeline of fashion's most illustrious moments
Sarah Maisey
28 January, 2022
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic