Zuhair Murad has been altering his techniques since launching his first collection (which is normal with any designer) and this Spring 2014 Couture Collection as an exercise in extravagance.  The garments ran the gamut from stunning gowns and jumpsuits to sexy cocktail dresses and separates and beautiful gold belts that cinched in the models' waists were seen on every look (save the finale wedding dress). 

A garden was the main focus of the collection - peonies, camellias and roses in delicate bunches and stunning embroidery intermixed with sequins and feathers for extra drama.  Murad showed us that it wasn't just evening gowns that he was capable of creating though, ivory suiting was mixed in with glamorous gowns complete with a double row of gold buttons. 

The formal dresses were the stars of the show in varying shades of yellow, lilac, baby blue, ivory and black.  These creations were absolutely stunning:  the chiffon created lightness and while many of the garments were sheer they managed to remain elegant as opposed to provocative.  Zuhair Murad seems to have really found his niche as a designer that designs chic yet superbly sexy creations.  We can't wait to see what's next!

Zuhair Murad's take on the sexy gown with sheer layer dotted with strategic ivory flower appliques

One of my favorite Zuhair Murad gowns - the sheer chiffon and black applique keeps it sexy without being provocative

Showing that pantsuits can also be sexy this black lace with flesh-toned base layer is just as glamorous as a gown

Beading, feathers and chiffon?  We're in love.

A sculpted bodysuit with sheer, multicolored-embroidery overlay takes this strapless gown to the next level

Pantsuit drama in ivory and gold

Murad showed us that gowns weren't all he could do with ivory suiting separates interspersed throughout the show

A beautifully draped cocktail gown in lilac and rich yellow with peekaboo lace

Zuhair Murad's finale wedding gown with over 25,000 hand-created blooms

See all of Zuhair Murad's gorgeous creations at Style.com.

What's wonderful about couture is that designers get to be a little crazy.  Okay, a little more crazy.  It's expected.  And when it happens, it's wonderful.  Valentino took a ride on the elegant wild side, nodding at both the opera and the jungle incorporating beautiful pieces in tulle, wool and silk.

Extraordinary effort was put into these gowns, to the tune of over 2500 hours just to add the beading to one dress.  Animals found themselves on at least half the looks, from a subtle swan or snake nod to a tiger literally about to jump off a silk skirt to gorillas.  Though the more obvious animal-inspired pieces may not be the most wearable but the more subtle gowns and tulle creations are indeed stunning.  Several of these gowns have already been seen at the award shows just days after they were seen on the runway and they are sure to be a hit the rest of the year as well.

Sheer black with a mini-dress and stunning heavy cape nods at the romantic side of fashion

A beautiful tulle gown needs no real accessories due to the butterflies flitting about the bodice

The finale gown's tiger jumping off silk and chiffon

A burgundy tulle creation with a snake wrapped around the models waist - this cocktail gown was seen on Katy Perry at the Grammys

The most subtle look in the entire collection, this gray shift dress and cape is absolutely stunning

This beige and white tulle confection has us much more inspired than bjork's swan creation

One of the more simple gowns of the collection, this taupe creation is reminiscent of ballerinas and has us swooning

Valentino's nod to the opera - literally - notes printed out on sheer chiffon create major drama.  This look was also seen at the Grammys on the one and only Katy Perry

See all of Valentino's dramatic Couture Collection at Style.com.

Elie Saab has long been synonymous with elegance and absolutely gorgeous gowns.  Commonplace on the red carpets for any number of movie stars, singers and reality personalities, Saab's Couture Collection is sure to be prominent for the rest of this upcoming year and almost guarantees a nod at best-dressed on Fashion Police.

Spring 2014 Couture wasn't exactly a break from what Elie Saab normally creates and that's not a bad thing.  The collection was a beautiful mix of sexy and extreme, yet flattering, volume in shades of white, celery, blue, red and black.  The effect was grown-up fairytale with empire waists and stunning draping accented with beading and glittery floral appliques.  The guilded gorgeousness is sure to mesmerize anyone who looks at it.

Fitted with extreme volume on the bottom, this black ball gown is a surefire hit

Gradient black to white with beading and appliques is one of the most beautiful gowns in the collection

Blue tulle, chiffon and beading on a stunning evening gown

Beading and applique on the top with frothy celery tulle on bottom

Gradient volume with multi-color beading and appliques

A stunningly sexy sheer gown with ivory applique that manages to look chic instead of trashy

Elie Saab's take on a ball gown that's fitted and beaded on the bodice and explodes into volume

A sheer gown with medium volume, beading and floral applique has us wishing for somewhere to wear it

See all of Elie Saab's gorgeous Spring 2014 Couture Collection at Style.com.

A little crazy is the first thought that comes to mind about Viktor and Rolf's Spring 2014 Couture Collection.  It's been said that some couture collections aren't meant to be the most wearable clothes but more to promote the brands perfume and that comes to mind here.  The show in and of itself was probably one of the most memorable as far as originality - the models were ballerinas cast from the Dutch National Ballet and walked the runway on pointe shoes.  The clothing was comprised of flesh-toned latex and netting that gave interesting illusions of varying levels of nudity.  The generally short dresses had some of the most beautiful inkwork that has ever been seen on garments - butterflies and birds that gave an almost Cinderella-vibe, appearing to be holding up the seams at the shoulders and hips.  The beauty of the tattooed-ink characters was offset by slightly creepy hair (The Grudge anyone?) but again, this wasn't as much about the clothes as it was about the brand making a statement.  Mission accomplished.

Draping that appears effortless with the inkwork that was seen throughout the show

Scroll inkwork over flesh-toned netting

Flesh-colored gowns gave the illusion of varying degrees of nudity

Beautiful printing on the gowns but the styling takes away from the daintiness of the designs

See the entire Viktor and Rolf Spring 2014 Couture Collection at Style.com.

Ahhhh, Chanel always delivers and Karl Lagerfeld made sure that the fashion house's Spring 2014 Couture Collection was no exception.  Lagerfeld described his set, complete with double staircase and snow capsule, as an "ice palace - a nightclub on another planet" and the clothing fit right in.  The models we cloaked in fun, refreshing clothes that still had the classic Chanel touch with tweed, perfect tailoring and a hint of rebelliousness.

A study in irony the models came sprinting, skipping and spinning down the stairways in couture sneakers (that are probably going to cost upwards of $5k to own a pair) while strapped into corsets.  Yes, corsets, the very thing that Coco is known for shunning.  The textured a-line skirts and oversized tops could have easily swallowed the dainty frames but the corsets gave the models tiny waists and instead of being unflattering the looks became some of my favorites of any collection and would look great on almost anyone.  The glittery snow fairy vibe was echoed in the styling as well - in the interest of keeping things young the hair was something of the punk rock era and the heavy black liner on top was balanced with the whimsy of different sized glitter under the bottom lash line. 

Chanel has always been one of my favorites - how could they not be with this gorgeous collection?

A stunning tulle and feather creation at Chanel Couture Spring 2014

Chanel's latest take on the suit - a-line skirt with oversized top corseted to give the model a teeny-tiny waist

Such light fabrics are kept young and enthusiastic with couture sneakers which are seen with every look

Always a little outside the box, Lagerfeld outfitted some of the girls with knee and elbow pads in line with the athletic feel of the collection

One of the most detailed looks of the show, this multi-colored frock is sure to garner a lot of attention

A blush pink number with a stunning black corset

Chanel keeps it classy - completely covered, yet completely sheer and somehow still 100% chic

What girl doesn't love a light-as-air gown with pockets?

A black and silver tiered cocktail dress plays with proportions

Who says a suit has to be boring?

A textured little white dress that plays with proportion in ALL the right ways

See all the entire Chanel Spring 2014 Couture Collection at Style.com.

Ok...couture is meant to be interesting, outrageous in some form and if nothing else, new.  Fresh.  Most times it is breathtaking in the sheer amount of time and effort that it takes to create these garments.  Armani Prive's Spring 2014 Couture Collection was just, well, underwhelming.

While it was an ever evolving show that began with tops, sweet pants and skirts it progressed into something that felt more gypsy-inspired completed with head-scarves and huge, dangling earrings.  The entire collection was predominantly blue with some odd shades of taupe thrown in near the end but the patterns help make up for the lack of color.  Though it wasn't my favorite couture collection it does grown on you and once you watch the entire show you're left wanting to go back and look at some of the looks again.  All in all it was a much more subtle approach than most designers use.

An updated gypsy-vibe with varying shades of blue

A navy and metallic strapless gown

Such a pretty pattern and who can resist a slit up-to-there?

Maybe not the most interesting couture collection but it's a beautiful skirt nonetheless

A gypsy-inspired look at Armani Prive Spring 2014

A stunning striped coat from Armani Prive

See the entire Armani Prive Spring 2014 Couture Collection at Style.com.

Raf Simons shows us the lighter side of couture in Paris with his collection for Christian Dior.  Slashed, overlays, cuts and tiers were abundant and while the cutouts used were pretty they felt as though we had seen them before.  The textures and fabrics helped keep the looks light and airy even when the colors got darker - the entire collection was comprised of black, white and navy.  Overall the collection was innovative and the shapes were interesting but for a couture runway it seemed to slightly miss the mark.  It was just a little...underwhelming.

Laser-cut overlays help give a simple while mini dress some visual interest

A black asymmetrical gown seems light as air when it's made of chiffon

Cutouts on the lower half add visual interest to a sexy plunging cocktail gown

An interesting take on the bell-shaped mini dress

Seafoam colored chiffon makes this strapless a-line dress a breath of fresh air

Thin strips of chiffon lend a lightness to this sculpted cocktail dress

One of the few long gowns in the collection this silk and tulle beauty is a crowd pleaser

See the entire Christian Dior Couture Spring 2014 Collection at Style.com.