Couture Moments - Spring 2013

Christian Dior

Christian Dior

Armani Prive

Armani Prive

Chanel

Chanel

Giambattista Valli

Giambattista Valli

Elie Saab

Valentino

Versace

Jean Paul Gaultier

Images via Style.com & Vogue.com

Couture Fall 2012

I can't help but think about Leandra Medine from Man Repeller when the subject is Couture.  In general I love the corky sarcasm in her writing but especially the way she quotes Couture: "If it looks like a vagina it's probably couture".  I used to be overwhelmed about this special collection but not so much anymore.  I've always had a huge respect for designers but after attending Fashion Design school it has elevated my respect to the next level.  I can see the beauty in really simple things even a well made t-shirt but when you talk about Haute Couture, its high quality, expensive fabric, time-consuming and lots of hand-executed techniques by the most experienced and capable seamstresses it should not look like a pret-a-porter collection.  The fact is I'm not that excited about all Haute Couture with some exceptions of course!  Mr Galliano we miss you, Couture will never be the same without your eccentric creations.  Below is what caught my eye in the latest Collections! 

Chanel 

Valentino

Elie Saab

Giambattista Valli

Versace 

Christian Dior

Images via style.com and vogue.com

Raf Simons The New Creative Director of Christian Dior

Belgian designer Raf Simons is taking over as Artistic Director at Christian Dior.

He worked with Walter Van Beirendonk in Paris, where he was exposed to the work of Martin Margiela and Jean Paul Galtier. In summer 2015 he was appointed as creative director for Jil Sander label, owned by the Prada Group.(at the time, sold to another firm)

His menswear line "Raf by Raf Simmons, was launched in 2006. His Fall/Winter collection has been recognized by many as one of the most impressive lines of the season.

Paris Haute Couture SS 2012 - Day I

Versace

Alexis Mabille

Christian Dior

Giambattista Valli

In France, the term haute couture is protected by law and is defined by the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Paris based in Paris,France. Their rules state that only "those companies mentioned on the list drawn up each year by a commission domiciled at the Ministry for Industry are entitled to avail themselves" of the label haute couture. The criteria for haute couture were established in 1945 and updated in 1992.

To earn the right to call itself a couture house and to use the term haute couture in its advertising and any other way, members of theChambre syndicale de la haute couture must follow these rules:

• Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.
• Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time.
• Each season (i.e., twice a year), present a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirty-five runs/exits with outfits for both daytime wear and evening wear.