Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Class of '08
By WWD Staff
PARIS — Couture week may be thin on major celebrities, but the front rows are packed with clients at heady times for high fashion. In addition to plenty of Europeans and regulars from America like Suzanne Saperstein and Becca Cason Thrash, there are a host of fresh faces — some in their 20s and 30s — from emerging high-fashion markets like Russia, the Middle East and Asia.
Here, a look at some of the newest members of the couture club:
Hind Hariri
Hails from: Lebanon
Seen at: Chanel
Fashion statement: "Couture for me is for special occasions when I am representing my family. I'm more into prêt-à-porter. I tend to go for simple dresses in wonderful fabrics."
Kassidy Schagrin
Hails from: Washington
Seen at: Armani Privé, Chanel, Christian Lacroix
Fashion statement: "Classic with a twist."
Kirsty Bertarelli
Hails from: Geneva
Seen at: Christian Dior, Armani Privé, Chanel
Fashion statement: "It's nice to wear something unique, something that suits your own body type. Once you have experienced that, it's difficult not to go back for more."
Elena Likhach
Hails from: Moscow
Seen at: Christian Dior, Chanel
Fashion statement: "My style's classic: Dior, Chanel, Valentino."
Yuki Tan, president of Folie Follie
Hails from: Beijing
Seen at: Giorgio Armani, Givenchy
Fashion statement: "What I love about couture is it's not only about money, it's a dream, isn't it? Every woman should be able to dream and enjoy life, why not?"
Irina Abramovich
Hails from: Moscow
Seen at: Chanel, Christian Lacroix
Fashion statement: "I always mix couture with ready-to-wear pieces by designers such as Alexander McQueen and Nina Ricci. One can even mix Ralph Lauren with couture."
Jean C. Liu
Hails from: Dallas
Seen at: Armani, Lacroix, Dior, Chanel, Gaultier
Fashion statement: "Everyone in Dallas has the same clothes. Couture is a fun way for me to wear something different. I have an appreciation for the time and work that goes into each piece. It's an art I support."
Alexandra Melnichenko
Hails from: Moscow
Seen at: Chanel, Christian Lacroix, Givenchy
Fashion statement: "In summer, I always love Christian Lacroix because of all the colors. In the winter, I like Chanel, and if it's dark and cold, Givenchy."