Opinions on Fall 08 Couture Collections!

posted by guest

Nov 07, 2008 3:05PM

Strangely enough, haute couture is far more important than some of the show collections in that it is designed to be worn. Should show collections exist? Of course, its art. Should every label in the world put a show collection together that has very little to do with the clothes they are putting into production? No.

posted by guest

Nov 07, 2008 3:27PM

I'll answer some questions, but you should know that I pay attention to fashion more as a hobby. I hope this helps!

What is your opinion on Haute Couture?a
*It is a beautiful expression of a designer's talent and mindset.

Is Haute Couture still necessary?
*Was it every "necessary" really?

Has Couture gone stale or is it still exciting?
*It is exciting for me because I only became interested in fashion about a year and a half ago, and I love to see such grand clothing.

How do you think the couture collections will be affected by the current financial recession?
*No, I do not. The clients of couturiers are always extremely wealthy individuals and it is unlikely that, for example, a movie star's salary will dimish very much.

posted by guest

Nov 07, 2008 4:01PM

Honestly, I'm not really sure the couture industry will be affected by this downturn in our economy as much as you'd think. It's not like every "joe-six-pack" or "hockey mom" out there regularly runs out to buy Lacroix. Much of what you see from a runway couture collection rarely gets produced for sale anyway, everyone knows that! Couture is more for editorial and red carpet than anything else, and is what helps a fashion house keep its luxury appeal. Fashion companies make their money primarily from ready-to-wear, accessories, cosmetics, and franchising/licensing. Couture is safe for now.

posted by guest

Nov 07, 2008 9:40PM

Couture is great and I would love to see it around since it is the artistic expression of the designer. While the haute couture customer will still buy it because they can afford it pretty much no matter what, there is still risk. It's not about whether the customer will buy, but also whether the company will fund the designer's creative exploration and production. Companies are about the bottom line, meaning dollars and not hem lines. During tight times, companies will cut expenses where they can. Although I'm sure most fashionista readers understand how couture contributes (in a round about way) to the company's revenue, that doesn't mean the company big wigs get it and thus may cut budget. So- yes- couture is at risk.

(Boo)

posted by guest

Nov 07, 2008 10:47PM

My sympathies in Dissertation Land-- I'm there right now, though my thesis is not fashion related. Yay for academe!

Did they influence or inspire you?

The colour palette of the fall collections was particularly influential. The show I found most genuinely inspiring was Rodarte, though as a nucleus for future ideas rather than as an immediate "look."

Do you look at the Couture collections each season?

Yes, though as a spectator-- I'm not in the business.

What is your opinion on Haute Couture?

As a feminist, and a socialist, my opinions were conflicted for many years about the effect of couture on how we perceive women's bodies. Lately, though, I've just been treating it as part of the art history of textiles. Like any piece of art, couture can be stunning and mind-changing, or simply tired and derivative. Like the art market, the couture market has of course gotten extremely pricey, even by its own standards lately (Jeff Koons or Damien Hirst might be the art equivalent).

Is Haute Couture still necessary?

Yes, in the sense that as something of a cultural mandarin, I see high art as always necessary. Proust, chamber music, Wagner, and couture....

Why is Haute Couture important?

Economically, it sustains a lot of hand work in otherwise non-industrial (or minimally industrial) cities, like Paris. It can help revitalise an area like L.A. or Milan. The purely aesthetic argument is that couture is important because the viewing and production of all art is important. I think the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is a real testament to the latter reasoning.

Has Couture gone stale or is it still exciting?

Cathy Horyn at the NYT seems to have found Paris stale this year. I disagree, though I think accesories have floundered a little (everyone's pouting over fake Birkins), though not footwear (those spiky Louboutins!).

How do you think the couture collections will be affected by the current financial recession?

Like any high end product, I think couture will survive. I don't know enough about economics to make an accurate prediction though-- and my suggestion to the OP would be to do a literature review on this one. JSTOR has some good articles (http://www.jstor.org/stable/1048839?&Search=yes&term=fashion&term=couture&term=economics&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dcouture%2Beconomics%2Bfashion%26gw%3Djtx%26prq%3Dcouture%2Beconomy%26Search%3DSearch%26hp%3D25%26wc%3Don&item=3&ttl=194&returnArticleService=showArticle), as does WWD.

Good luck!

posted by guest

Nov 08, 2008 4:33AM

oh the craftsmanship.

posted by guest

Nov 09, 2008 10:34AM

This doesn't directly answer your question, but regardless of the economic downturn, the luxury market hasn't been affected at all.

Rather, it appears to be booming!

I live in Dublin and the recession has hit Ireland quite hard, but not hard enough for them not to be opening new Cartier, Tiffany and Theo Fennell jewelery stores before Christmas. So I think Couture is safe!

posted by raphael

Nov 10, 2008 5:05PM

Did they influence or inspire you?
Certainly Haute Couture reminds us that clean and high quality productions is very desirable. Not only in fashion. Everywhere. It plays a great role.

Do you look at the Couture collections each season?
Yes. I love to.

What is your opinion on Haute Couture?
I love Haute Couture. What a pity that it doesn't really exist for men. I love everything about couture. I will definitely try seaming one day. I appreciate hand-crafting a lot more than everything else. (Although I am kinda a geek, I guess)

Is Haute Couture still necessary?
Yes. Seeing it alone makes me happy. I do not need to possess Haute couture but I love looking at it and I have a lot of respect for all the people who are involved in the process of making such genius and beautiful garments.

Why is Haute Couture important?
Isn't that how the fashion week madness always ends? The crowning, you might call it. Haute Couture must never be lost!

Has Couture gone stale or is it still exciting?
Haute Couture is still very exciting. In some way it is beyond our dreams and yet so realistic. It's amazing, enchanting and divine. It always pushes the boundaries.

How do you think the couture collections will be affected by the current financial recession?
It will. It's become a bit of a tradition, as it still exists. Haute Couture fashion houses will not give it up for a financial crisis. Isn't the question: What will happen to the customers (their money) in the financial recession?

I hope that helped. Good luck with your dissertation. I wish you all the best.

xo & Cheers, Raphael :)

PS.: This all sounds very interesting. I'd love to hear more about that dissertation of yours.

posted by guest

Nov 14, 2008 5:48PM

In the Olsen twins' new book "Influence", John Galliano speaks briefly but thoroughly about couture today. If you need quotes or sources, this may help you!

posted by MISSY0666

Nov 22, 2008 7:15PM

1.they inspired me
2.yes
3.not practical
4.yes,it sets the frame-work for the practical...like you need a proof in geometry right?well couture is the proof.what cfomes to k-mart is the answer for consumers.
5.see above
6.couture has gone stale,please revive immediately-i'm still so excited to see what's the 'newest' trend.i saw a pair of big,roundish-square glasses on a woman in a q-tip video-and i used to have them in pink-so it made me think we're going back to the 80's...as if!