I wonder if there is any way of democratising the couture collections short of plebs like me actually buying something. I do not wish the couture shows to die for want of customers. They represent the pinnacle of what is possible in that humble object, clothing, as a Picasso transcends pigment and canvas. Observe the above shot from Valentino which resembles a Busby Berkely set.
But if they aren't to dwindle, we're going to need to buy a piece. I would suggest selling in-depth video downloads on the internet, but as any fule no, no-one can make money from the internet. Or is that no longer true?
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Up where the air is rare
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Interesting article, but it also perpetuates a few myths about haute couture that just make it difficult for people to understand what it really is. There is no mystery to haute couture, its merely a business model for custom clothing manufacture regulated by French law via the Chambre Syndicale and is a particular type of sewing. Couture techniques are widely documented and not really hard to learn – they are mostly just time consuming. Lesage (the embroidery house now owned by Chanel that supplies virtually all of the embellishment for haute couture houses) actually has an embroidery school that is open to anyone willing to learn fine embroidery. I’m very surprised that no other haute couture designers have done something similar by opening up their workrooms to offer classes in haute couture technique to sewers like me because trust me there is interest out there. The Chambre does have a fashion school for students entering the haute couture industry, but as far as I know there are no non-professional programs. The enduring power and appeal of haute couture will always be way these garments are made, and I’m really surprised the Chambre Syndicale hasn’t done more educational outreach to keep the flame burning.
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