Set Fire To The Runway: On Aura Tout Vu S/S 2012

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week was set aflame as the phoenix of On Aura Tout Vu rose from the ashes and descended upon us at Garage Turenne. On January 25, 2012, the Bulgarian designer duo Livia S. Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov presented their Spring-Summer Couture 2012 collection, 'High Light Fire'. The collection transcended its theme and heated the audience with incredible energy. Models were the quinntessential femmes fatales in garments blazing with blue, orange, and red flames, gleaming with thousands of Swarovski Elements crystals, and sizzling with high-drama silhouettes. We were lit up, watching a model gracefully walk the runway in a dress reminiscent of a billow of smoke, but we were dazzled when the next dress emerged from backstage literally billowing smoke. At this moment, the magnificence and genius of this collection was unmistakable. The model, also fully aware, broke character, and gave a gracious nod and humble smile knowing she was wearing an epic garment. Applause joined the epic soundtrack and then became cheers, giving me chills and highlighting the chaleureux mood of the show. 

Me and Camille at the after party
Credit: Ko Kok

When asked about the theme, 'High Light Fire', Samouilov explained the collection "is a reaction to the idea of the crisis... when all values go up in smoke. The crisis will end up coming... we need to set a fire then, so that things move... and that everyone does so at their own level." The duo told Le Monde, "the old world is a blaze, but we can rise from the ashes".

See pictures from the show and after party after the jump.