RFBSTYLE

Long before fashion became a digital swirl of pixels and high-gloss photography, Vogue covers were painted — not shot. These early covers were hand-drawn artworks that captured more than just clothes. They told stories. They reflected eras. They evoked emotion with a stroke of ink or a splash of watercolor. From the magazine’s earliest issues in the early 1900s through the 1930s, Vogue was graced with illustrated covers that felt like windows into a dream. Fashion illustration wasn’t just decoration — it was fine art, blending elegance with imagination.

Schiaparelli HAND DRAWN COUTURE

Schiaparelli Fall/Winter 2024 Haute Couture illustrated by Daniel Roseberry. This quote, with its stark honesty and dedication to artistic truth, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Elsa Schiaparelli. She, too, was a revolutionary, a master of reinvention, pushing the boundaries of fashion and art with an audacious disregard for convention. Nine years after her arrival on the scene, Schiaparelli, already a legend in her own right, appeared at the Ambassadeurs restaurant gala in a gown painted by Dunand, a bold statement of her unique artistry. The coq-feathered stole draped around her shoulders was an homage to the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova, a reminder of Schiaparelli's own transformative power. Unlike Pavlova's swan, Schiaparelli was a phoenix, rising from the ashes, constantly reinventing herself and, in turn, revolutionizing fashion. This collection, an ode to Schiaparelli's enduring legacy, embodies that spirit of reinvention. Each piece is a testament to her ...

New Arrivals from Valentino Garavani: When Accessories Become Works of Art

In its latest collections, the Valentino Garavani brand continues to solidify its status as a leader in the world of luxury, offering footwear and accessories that go beyond simply complementing an outfit. These are true works of art, where each piece showcases impeccable craftsmanship, bold design, and instantly recognizable brand aesthetics. A key trend in Valentino Garavani's new arrivals is the emphasis on embellishment. Designers generously utilize embroidery, crystals, sequins, signature Rockstuds, and various unique textures. Each item feels like a meticulously crafted art object, designed not just to complete but to transform an entire look. The brand masterfully blends classic silhouettes with contemporary elements. Traditional forms, such as Mary Jane shoes or quilted chain clutches, receive a fresh reinterpretation through unexpected materials, daring decoration, and innovative combinations. This creates an effect of "new classics" that are both timeless and ul...

Miss Dior: The Secret Resistance Heroine Who Inspired an Iconic Fragrance

Before she became a muse, she was a fighter. In the shadows of Nazi-occupied France, a young woman named Catherine Dior chose danger over silence. She was not just the sister of legendary couturier Christian Dior—she was a fierce and fearless agent of the French Resistance, enduring unspeakable torture and surviving the horrors of concentration camps. Her strength, courage, and grace would later become the invisible heart of one of the world’s most beloved perfumes: Miss Dior. Miss Dior amphora, Baccarat crystal, 1951. Photo: Philippe Schlienger “It’s a perfume that smells like love,” Christian Dior once said of Miss Dior. But behind its blooming floral bouquet lies a darker origin story—one of war, resistance, and resilience. The Woman Behind the Name Catherine Dior was born in 1917, the youngest daughter of a once-wealthy family whose fortunes had crumbled. In 1941, in Cannes, a simple act of buying a radio changed her life—and may have helped change the course of history. Radio...

Signature Alexis Mabille: The Dress Every Woman Should Own

Alexis Mabill e's gown made such an impact on the runway during couture fashion week and encapsulates the designer's penchant for mixing masculine and feminine codes. This tuxedo-inspired piece is cut from satin-piqué with an off-the-shoulder neckline and full skirt that's pleated for extra volume. The sweetheart bodice is accented with lustrous lapels and internally boned for structure. Make the most of the high-low hem and showcase your favourite heels. net-a-porter.com Alexis Mabille's skirt is defined by the signature knotted sash that creates the illusion of a pair of sleeves around the waist. Made from floral-print organza and silk, this maxi style is left unlined so the voluminous silhouette feels easy to move in. Style yours with the brand's top for a spring gala or wedding. net-a-porter.com French designer Alexis Mabille cut his teeth at Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent before launching his line in 2005 – so it's safe to say he knows a thing or two...

MUST HAVE SS'17: Fendi embraces the season's penchant for knits

Founded by her grandparents Edoardo and Adele in 1925, Fendi is now led by Silvia Venturini Fendi – creator of the iconic ‘Baguette’ bag – and Karl Lagerfeld, who was appointed in 1965 and is playfully known as “the sixth Fendi child.” Alongside sports and ski, the brand’s ready-to-wear and shoe collections are defined by color, playful proportions and use of embellishment. net-a-porter.com Fendi embraces the season's penchant for knits with these light-gray ankle boots. Making their debut on the label's Spring '17 runway, they are decorated with embroidered blooms, bows and stripes, creating the perfect balance between sporty and feminine. The sock-like fit ensures the most comfortable, flexible stride. net-a-porter.com Cut from airy striped satin and organza, Fendi's midi skirt floats over the body. This pastel-pink and gray design sits smoothly at your waist and is printed with a garden-inspired trompe-l'oeil photograph. Style it with heeled sandals to highlight...

The Games Begin: A Symphony of Sport and Couture

The air crackles with anticipation as fourteen athletes, clad in summer-weight cotton tailoring, lock eyes and grip the rope, poised for the tug-of-war competition. A battle of strength, stamina, and sheer will unfolds at the heart of the hall. Their coach, a maestro of style and strategy, observes the unfolding drama. He stands tall in a symphony of sartorial brilliance, a testament to the intersection of sport and couture. His elongated bal collar coat, embroidered with shimmering bugle beads and playful lovebirds, drapes elegantly over a patch pocket sport coat and pleated skirt crafted from pristine white cotton bobbinet. A kaleidoscope of bugle beads, seed beads, and lovebirds embellish the skirt, mirroring the whimsical motifs of the coat. His whistle bag, a dazzling spectacle of full strass, features a grosgrain woven chain, while his heelless heritage trainer ankle boots boast running spikes in muslin, a subtle nod to the athletic prowess on display. The coach,...

MUST HAVE: Mary Katrantzou shaped to accentuate the female silhouette and is patterned with contrasting floral prints inspired by Fabergé

The mix-and-match composition of this multicoloured crepe Dresmine dress nods to Mary Katrantzou 's signature eye-bending prints. Made in the UK, it's shaped with long sleeves that are slit open on the outside and secure with navy ties, then falls into a sweeping pleated skirt, that showcases a vibrant selection of Cubism-influences, colour blocking and exotic florals. Pick out one of the deep red hues with a coordinating satin pouch. matchesfashion.com Mary Katrantzou revives this multicoloured Powdy dress – originally a standout piece from the AW12 collection – for the 10th anniversary of her eponymous line. Exclusive to MATCHESFASHION.COM, it's crafted from a mid-weight silk printed with the label's hallmark kaleidoscopic prints that enliven the structured foundation. A semi-sheer panel at the front cascades to a ruffled hem. Follow up the pastel hues with soft pink heels. matchesfashion.com From the first look on Mary Katrantzou’s AW18 runway show, this black Rooste...