Post written in collaboration with Hannah Perlmutter

Eva Minge, one of Poland’s most renowned designers, is definitely one to look out
for. Her designs sell well in Europe and New York, and her haute couture lines are red carpet quality.

Set in the luxury palace hotel the Shangri-la in the prestigious 16th arrondissement of Paris, her Spring 2012 haute couture show differed greatly from last Spring’s (where glam-rock and a Dracula inspired collection was shown). This Spring’s show was filled with black and white chic evening gowns and pants suits varying in lengths and fits with an obvious focus on the waistline, and the contours of the female body. She collaborated with Esotiq whose lingerie was shown with several of the looks.

These are designs that evoke a more Parisian attitude towards style, less provocative than her collection from a year ago, but nonetheless quite sensual and very feminine. This collection has a lady-like glamor to it while retaining this Polish designers personal flare. An abundance of fluid crêpe de soie in white, soft velvet in black, brilliant silks in degraded hues and sheer tulle or organza dominate the entire collection and brought about a idea of fluidity not only in the movement of the fabrics  but also the flow from black to white and passing through gray in between.

She experimented with the classic pants suit in many ways, sometimes exposing the mid-drift,
culottes style pants, huge slits in the side, or emphasized shoulders.

The hair was an exciting take on the classic bun, oversized poofs protruding
from a simple black headband. The makeup was simple and warm allowing all
emphasis to be drawn to the clothes…black and white with a bow on top!