Haute couture runways welcome back the small waist

By NOMBUSO KUMALO - 25 January 2023 - 14:58

A model walks the runway during the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 23, 2023 in Paris, France.
Image: Estrop/Getty Images

Long live the small waist long live! It’s the year of the whittled waistlines as haute couture runways welcome back the small waist.

The curvy hourglass silhouettes have taken over the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week 2023 runway.

The past few seasons spring/summer runways have seen the resurgence of the shrinking waistline reimagined through cult trends and classic silhouettes.

The haute couture runway has elevated the drama of the whittling waistline of which we will be sure to see sashaying down red carpets this awards season. We have also curated a list of our fave celebrities we would love rocking the high-fashion style:

Schiaparelli

A model walks the runway during the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 23, 2023 in Paris, France.
Image: Estrop by Getty Images

Creative director Daniel Roseberry's interpretation of Dante’s poem Inferno saw models walk down the runway in exaggerated bell-shaped corsets and structured cinched corsets made of stained glass and toffee-hued voluminous trousers.

Wish-list celebrities: Rihanna, Taylor Russell, Doja Cat, Kim Kardashian, Adele.

Chanel

A model walks the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 24, 2023 in Paris, France.
Image: Pascal Le Segretain

The Chanel runway's romantic and playful take on life in a circus saw models dressed in elements of ringmaster's suiting in subtlety-cinched jackets and floral cumberband accent.

Wish-list celebrities: Zoe Saldana, Kerry Washington, Lupita Nyong'o, Mary J Blige.

Giambattista Valli

At Giambattista Valli, the volume of a circle skirt takes centre stage in creating the illusion of a small waistline. Smart-draping techniques hugged models' waistlines that trailed gloriously behind them.

Wish-list celebrities: Taraji P. Henson, Zendaya, Beyoncé, Lizzo.

Christian Dior

A model walks the runway during the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 23, 2023 in Paris, France.
Image: Pascal Le Segretain

The house referenced its 1970s Bar Suit, featured throughout the collection with focus on structure and elegance. Embroidered corsets in mesh were paired with flowy beaded skirts that hugged the figure in each stride.

Wish-list celebrities: Thuso Mbedu, Viola Davis, Letitia Wright