It’s couture week in Paris, but Frida Giannini’s stealing a bit of thunder in Milan.
Word is she wants to start a couture collection for Gucci.
Initial thoughts? You can’t just become a couturier, you have to be certified by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, and membership isn’t granted lightly.
Secondly, the WWD bit ends with the note that Gucci won’t show the collection in Paris (not because they don’t want to, but because you can’t just waltz into the Ritz and set up shop), but that they’ll “sell it on a by-appointment basis and use the couture label to service top celebrities.”
Considering most couture makes pennies, Lauren notes they should focus on the former rather than the latter and more specifically, gaining traction in the Middle East and Asia where Gucci reigns supreme.
Mostly we’re concerned with the creative. Frida’s great at what she does, and her clothes look cute from the runway to your local Zara, but can she do what Galliano does? Can she build a dress like Christian Lacroix?
Doubt it.
Tags: Christian Lacroix, Couture, Frida Giannini, Galliano, Gucci, WWD, Zara
Comments [7]
Leave a comment
Most Read
- 1
First Look: Marni for H&M, the Complete Collection (Plus Pricing) - 2
Central Saint Martins Fall 2012: The Most Memorable Looks - 3
New York Fashion Week Crib Sheet: The 10 Most Well-Reviewed Shows According to Everyone Who Matters - 4
Mulberry Debuts Lana Del Rey Bag on the Runway - 5
Kate Moss, Rihanna, and More Attend Stella McCartney's London Dinner Show--Oh, and Alexa Chung Levitated on Swords
- 1
Copyright © 2012 Breaking Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
Registration or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Can anyone tell me whether designers accept fan mail, big designers like Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano etc? Do they reply to fan mails?
One could reply, cynically: yes, but can Christian Lacroix sell dresses like Frida? (No, or he’d be showing this week)
As much as fashion is an art form, it’s a business. This is a smart move for Gucci. If they wanted a Chambre Syndicale membership Gucci Group has the money to finance one. Choosing not to pursue couture from that more traditional angle demonstrates that Gucci doesn’t want to do what Galliano does or Lacroix did. There can be new iterations of couture…it doesn’t have to be poofy embroidered ball gowns (as the success of Givenchy’s current couture incarnation demonstrates).
No offense to Donatella, but if Versace can make it with Atelier, then Gucci can make it as well. And why not? The more members the merrier! Now let’s think of some names! Armani has Prive and Versace has Atelier but Valentino has Haute Couture. What should Gucci use? A simple Haute Couture? Or something fancy?
Gucci? Couture? Sorry, I just can’t see the two combined.
It’s Gucci, I don’t think it’s going to be too hard for them to become a couturier. I’m definitely excited to see what Gucci couture would look like.
I’d like to remember that Versace brand is born from the genius that was Gianni Versace and the talented and extraordinary team that worked for him.
Atelier Versace has been and still is Haute Couture at its best, because he was a real couturier and knew how a dress is made…and knew how to make a dream become real through a dress.
Luckily the heritage he left is made not only by a brand and material fortune, but from a structure that still holds within itself a great number of talended people, and a real “atelier”,where everyday some of the best tailors in Italy work little miracles.
It will not be easy for Mrs. Giannini to put together in a heartbeat a similar structure,so good luck!
Oh dear. Haute couture is not about expensive clothes made by a fashionable designer. Its inherent finery, mastery and must conform to the strict guidelines. Money can’t buy you a House. Back to business, enjoy the prestige of the Christie’s association, send more than a thank you note to Dawn Mello and wonder how Domenico and Tom could have been allowed to leave. A tad tawdry.
Humbly.