PARIS, Jan 27, 2005/ FW/ --- Trained under Yves Saint Laurent and Hubert di Givenchy, Dominique Sirop is a product of the old school of thought of haute couture wherein everything is about the details.

“I’ve known Dominique since he was with Monsieur Saint Laurent and Givenchy,” related Madame Josephine Courlande who used to work as a jeweler at their ateliers before she retired. “Saint Laurent taught him all about the sleeves and shoulders, while Givenchy taught him about details and subtle adornments.”

And for his Spring 2005 haute couture collection, the two master couturiers would have been proud of their protégé because the sophisticated lines and the subtleties made this collection one of the most wearable, and commercially viable, added to the fact, that it is also very beautiful this season in Paris.

Granted, it does not have the drama or the theater of the other collections that dazzles the audience. Leaning more towards demi-couture than over the top haute, Dominique Sirop’s detailing is serious beadwork and hands on effort for every garment that was shown.

Take the beige pantsuit set for instance with the tiny black beads on the side that ran from under the armhole and continued seamlessly to the pants. Each tiny bead was meticulously done by hand, to the point of exact measurements as it flowed away from the seam outward.

Or the embroidery on the purple flowing mini skirt with deep V-neckline that made the model look like a Greek goddess. It’s beautiful in its subtlety.

Even the diamond laser cut pants paired with a black top is full of subtle details, as a tiny jewel in the center holds each diamond laser cut.

And the most important of all, every piece in the collection is contemporary, that a young girl in her twenties would be proud to add to her wardrobe.

And since Dominique Sirop is truly the crowned prince of subtle details, it’s not surprising that he is also very subtle in making his statement about keeping haute couture alive, i.e., bringing its tradition of workmanship and craftsmanship to the 21st century.

Dominique Sirop

Dominique Sirop

Dominique Sirop

Dominique Sirop