The impact of couture fashion on the mainstream
1 Comments Published by AnnM. on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 at 10:20 PM.
We’ve all seen it. Pointy-jointed, spiky haired models prance down the runway wrapped in wild concoctions of fabric as fashion critics “ooh” and “ah” over the froth of tulle combined with camouflage denim in a tropically inspired sarong. The designer, a Monsieur Yves de la Gauche is launching his new collection and each original sells for more than the monthly rent on a Manhattan apartment. But, who is this fashion designed for and does anyone really wear those things?
Couture refers to the high-fashion design of women’s clothing. Haute Couture is the highest form of couture; it is a name licensed by the Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture in Paris. The chamber has strict requirements for use of the name including dictating the number of employees the design house must employ and the number of outfits that can be shown at their annual showings.
Couture designers specialize in one of a kind or extremely limited edition garments. They cater to movie stars, models and the richest women of the world. So, why are the items they produce, that are worn by so few, followed by so many? Couture designers are known for setting trends. And, even though the items those same designers and their copycats release to the ready-to-wear market are toned down for the mainstream, they are still often inspired by the couture pieces.
Couture pieces also help designers make names for themselves. A designer who launches couture pieces at a highly covered show can count on press for the rest of her clothing lines as a happy byproduct. So, while we may not all go to the market wearing feathers strung together with leather straps and sequins, our newest beaded jackets might just have been inspired by something couture.
(ann macdonald, 2005)
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