Giorgio Armani

Jean Paul Gaultier

Valentino

PARIS, Dec 13, 2005/ FW/ --- With the thermometer hitting 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit) it’s a cold day in Paris made warmer with the release of the upcoming Haute Couture catwalk schedule this January.

Opening the season once again is Giorgio Armani for his Privé collection slated for two showings at rue Lauriston. The Italian couturier who just launched a beauty e-commerce website continues to hold the whole circle of fashion in hand from ready-to-wear to haute couture, accessories and of course beauty.

Christian Dior and Valentino, traditional favorites of the super-rich and royalties of Europe will also be showing the first day, together with Adeline Andre, who is also a member of the prestigious Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

Emerging couturiers Felipe Oliveira Baptista from Portugal, Anne Valerie Hash and Maurizio Galante, both from France are also slated to show during the first day.

The second day is the day for established couture houses – Chanel, Dominique Sirop, Christian Lacroix and Givenchy, wherein young Riccardo Tisci will preview his second couture collection.

Christophe Josse, who debuted off calendar last July, is now part of the official calendar. Josse used to be the Artistic Director of Torrente, replacing Rose Torrente-Mett when she retired.

The last day, Wednesday features Jean Paul Gaultier and Franck Sorbier, both of whom are official members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Design trio On Aura Tout Vu shows their collection after Jean Paul Gaultier, while Lebanese couturier Elie Saab closes the season.

It is still very early with more than a month away before the season starts, so there might be additions on the calendar. According to the announcement from The Federation Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et de la Mode Masculine, this is only a temporary schedule and still subject to change.