Couture Journal Alexandra Shulman

       Monday 1 July

"You have arrived in the summer" greet my Parisian driver Jean-Claude at the Gare du Nord, where I slides on a make-up kit traction artist Céline coat - the first time I saw someone you actually wear them. Time during the Paris Haute Couture, as obsessive discussed as British farmers. What to wear in the humid heat? Is there such a thing as proper shoes for rain, it is not an opportunity, Hunter Wellies.

Christian Dior, which was held under the dome of the Invalides comes, Christopher Kane embellished in the YSL shoes, a woolly gray sweater tied around the waist. It is probably the only person that gray door into the room. If we. Further proof for that fashion houses were now focused outside the traditional Western markets in search, it's here The show is seen through a multicultural filter with the traditional rules of Dior, as the bar jacket and houndstooth, to work in a global exposure of costumes: kimonos, tribal beads, European fashion - the whole shebang.

Meanwhile, outside the Dior boutique on Avenue Montaigne, the Range Rover and Mercedes are up nose-to-tail lined in the street, their drivers head shaved cum bodyguards stand in the sun. There is no sign of the economic and political crisis in the country on this route from Paris sidewalk, enjoy a new Chanel boutique in plates, a huge Givenchy be unpacked and Ladies' Lunch at their favorite, The Avenue (always at 16.30 clock fought ).

The roses are in the garden of the Rodin Museum (everyone is away from the restaurant terrace of the Ritz perfume, which is closed for renovations). At Giambattista Valli show, sculptures are dressed in white petals, as models are made of silk and chiffon versions. Bianca Brandolini talkative in Giambattista Valli white lace A-line gown, while Tallulah Harlech meets and greets in an oversized sweater difficulties (we Brits love our wool). Later Schiaparelli is a small collection of Christian Lacroix, the amount of the Paris fashion shoot in force for her friend, the other Christian (Louboutin) designed for photos, Azzedine Ala?a and Jean Paul Gaultier, go through a cage flowers with the birds of iPads connected.

I sit down with Peter Dundas Pucci dinner for Little Black Dress exhibition of André Leon Talley. Under the flag of the gay men's fashion in a pastel pink Givenchy suit, he leads us to what he calls the "summer drink of Paris" - wine glasses of champagne with ice packs.

Tuesday, 2 July

We are going to see some of the most exclusive and luxurious garments in the world Chanel show at the Grand Palais, but apart from the hustle and bustle that is very democratic in progress. Here it is the way you look, not who you are. Japanese photographer about a girl in a long skirt and bright flowered silk shoes overcrowded, while fans of Chanel Couture cause experienced in curly and dry no attention.

Metallic vision of Karl Lagerfeld is bombarded staged in a theater, opening to reveal a futuristic skyline of Singapore, where models tweeds shine with crystals and sequins light foot, to an audience with Natalia Vodianova, Rihanna Suzy Menkes and curtain. The days of high customer traffic on small gold chairs are now dresses are flown to enjoy in the privacy of your own home all over the world in large tribes preferred customers.

Late afternoon at the Armani Prive collection, and young men Armani suitable offer their arms to perform high-heel-wearing customers in steep stairs -. Sew a version of "elf and safety" Leaving his beautiful sight (all colors, as he's naked), the traffic is the thankless favorite and begin a slow process - the city traffic is unfortunately another mainstay of conversation sewing.

On the way to a certain Valentino Anna Wintour to Wideville, Valentino castle outside Paris dinner text is reported that Kate Middleton was spotted in the hospital in a wheelchair. Wideville is what you expect fashion: an incredibly beautiful and a glamorous backdrop. We meet on the large terrace to the rear, displayed with each new arrival at the top of a staircase: Arthur Mornington and Jemma, Natalia Vodianova and Antoine Arnault, Patrick Demarchelier, a ponytail John Galliano, Amanda Harlech, Erdem and Christopher Kane. Valentino invites us to see the gardens, but he said the time has ruined peonies. Each share photos on their phones: Tim Jeffries his blond children, Arthur Mornington Jemma in a yellow dress in the middle of pink Valentino. Everyone wants to know if it's true about Kate and the hospital.

Dinner is in an old barn (for lack of a more appropriate word), where a large meal is served organized. If you thought fashion people do not eat, think again - each plate with three puddings (that's creme brulee, cheesecakes, meringues, ice cream, apple pie, raspberry roulade ...) amassed. Coco Brandolini, pregnant and wearing white Dolce & Gabbana for their latest collection Alta Moda, for the Venetian show prepares the couple this weekend, while the model Astrid Munoz, Valentino blue lace and accompanied his polo player husband Eduardo is against Farida Khelfa, the muse current Schiaparelli. They plonked a red lobster jeweled floral arrangement in front of her.

Wednesday, 3 July

The clouds gather. After a Jean-Paul Gaultier with intelligent animal print hair goes through fashion caravan Pierpaolo Piccioli see and show exquisite Valentino Maria Grazia Chiuri. Your collection is coveted at one end of the spectrum of fashion, while early sewing Viktor and Rolf is only open on the other side, as it works with a view to three minutes, the duo sat in silence in the lotus position, and ending with models are carefully positioned in mountains of dark gray wool as Neolithic rock outcrops. This is a conceptual moment, such as tents and strangely fragrant smoky Fendi built to display the exhibition Karl Lagerfeld daguerreotypes in the Pont Alexandre III. Just like watching the Stones to Glastonbury, you had to be there. Couture: this is the real thing.