by Olivia Moreau
Couture Week in Paris is relatively small. Not because there aren't enough designers but to be truly considered couture you will have to be exceptional at what you do. In many ways being an Haute Couture house is the most rigorous credential in fashion. So it is no surprise many designers try and fail to become a true Haute Couture house and some just become faux-couture to give the impression that it is Haute Couture. Impressions, pretensions aside Paris Haute Couture is the foremost event during the fashion calendar when it comes to showing the actual work of the designers. So this year we decided instead of just covering FROW and runway during Haute Couture week, we are going to delve deep into the designers backstage. But being an avant-garde magazine that stands on the cusp of commercialization and art provides us with more flexibility in covering shows. So here are the three most anticipated shows by us during Paris Haute Couture Week.
Alexandre Vauthier: Alexandre Vauthier's previous collection brought the 80s glam into the foray. His couture collection gave every indication that he is reviving the disco-excellence and big-hair-exuberance of ’80s haute couture.The shoulder-padded base layers, the glittery sway of supermodels, the see-through levity of sheer fabrics were all the rage during the 80s and Vauthier teased out the best of that era in that collection. We are excited to see his new collection and find out where this master of eroticism and femininity draws the line. We will cover Alexandre's backstage and Front Row with the same transparency as his now fabled dresses.
Galia Lahav: Galia Lahav is the queen of bridal dressmaking. And her seamstress heritage, her decades creating magnificent couture have truly established her as one of the most intricate practitioners of Haute' Couture. Her lavish gowns are something we would be looking forward to and from backstage to frow we will dissect the beauty and the flow of her amazing career as a dressmaker of the utmost class.
Zuhair Murad: Zuhair Murad requires no introduction. The Lebanese designer is a stalwart in this business and his work within the realms of Haute' Couture is evocative, romantic and often times outright elaborate. We will shine a light on a career that already has reached dizzying highs. From the signature white to off white, Murad's show is likely to be of great interest to many buyers as his work sits right in the middle of art and commerce.
Lastly, shows like Stephane Rolland and Iris van Herpen are likely to make a splash but in our opinion the most intriguing ones are the ones we discussed and will be covering along with a whole set of shows. To paraphrase the great Pierre Cardin, there are no bad shows in Haute' Couture. So hang on tight, we got you covered.