JOANNE Watkinson
THE COUTURE CLUB
Couture – often bunged on the end of a fashion brand name in an attempt to elevate it – the term, is actually defined as high-end clothing.
To achieve true haute couture status and show at Couture Fashion Week, a fashion house must design made-to-order clothes that require fittings, using an atelier (or studio as we call them in the UK) and employ at least 15 fulltime staff.
The typical couture customer is unlikely to feel the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis like you and I and which may explain why this year’s couture shows were more high profile than ever.
Aware that, come winter, ‘ready to wear’ collections (the clothes that hang in shops) might not sell as well as in previous seasons, designers likely chose to throw everything at romancing these rich consumers.
The extra publicity will more than likely help shift more of the “affordable” items – perfume, make-up etc. It’s a clever marketing strategy.
Despite the fact I will never own an item of couture, I marvel at the shows. They are an opportunity for designers to show off their craftsmanship.
Balenciaga, the fashion house responsible for the knitted sock and Triple S trainer, showed its second collection under creative director, Demna Gvasalia.
True to form Demna deployed his pop culture favourites. Reality star Kim Kardashian and Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn walked in his show, as did pop star Dua Lipa and actress Nicole Kidman, along with Naomi Campbell, who makes even the most seasoned A-lister look like a novice with her confidence.
Dolce & Gabbana meanwhile, held a four-day event in Sicily to celebrate a decade of their Alta Moda collection.
Alta Moda is the Italian word for haute couture. The collection is all made in Italy, and to give context on the made-to-measure prices, they only have 750 customers worldwide. The pieces were dramatic and jaw-dropping, but it was what was happening off the runway that grabbed my attention. Dame Helen Mirren, Mariah Carey, Sharon Stone and Drew Barrymore head to toe in Alta Moda, posing together like Dolce & Gabbana’s very own Spice Girls.
It was one of those fashion moments that remind me why I enjoy the business so much – ever so slightly ridiculous but absolutely fabulous.