Fall 2008 Haute Couture Collections: A Second Golden Age In The Making?

While I may have neither the lifestyle nor the means to indulge in my love of haute couture, I remain an avid follower nonetheless. I liken it to blue-chip art - I may not be able to afford a Cy Twombly or Mark Rothko painting but I'm free to love it from afar. Thanks to sites like Style.com, I can do much the same with the art of haute couture. It never fails to annoy me when I hear commentators write off the haute couture industry as a frivolous pastime destined for a handful of very wealthy ladies with too much time on their hands. This verdict is neither fair nor accurate for at its core, haute couture should be viewed in the same light as art. Collecting haute couture is no more frivolous than collecting art. Indeed, at its best, haute couture is the point where fashion meets art - not in the conceptual sense but in the literal sense. The techniques, the craftsmanship, the artistry required to transform a garment worthy of the haute couture designation is no minor feat and it deserves respect. By this I don't mean a mere nod of approval but unabashed Aretha Franklin-style R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

It's also worth pointing out that despite periodic proclamations of its imminent demise, haute couture has shown a remarkable ability to survive - neither wars, nor economic downturns, nor hippie fashion trends have managed to sink it. Case in point, while there currently may be only a few hundred clients throughout the world who purchase haute couture creations regularly, the newly minted wealth emerging from Singapore, Russia and India not to mention China are not only helping the industry stay alive but helping it to thrive once again. (Source) In fact, according to some, there hasn't been this much demand for haute couture in thirty years. (Source) Could this be a second golden age for couture? I say: Vive les petites mains!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

All three images are from Chanel's Fall 2008 Haute Couture collection. Detail shots by Armando Grillo, courtesy of Style.com.

Comments

[Sarah Moore]

Check out the following ...

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Second-Wave-Couture
www.secondwavecouture.co.uk

[Helene]

Thank you for your kind words. I too look forward to reading Fashion156.

Helene

[Simran]

good article and the whole site is really well informed.
looking forward to reading more!
simran at fashion156.com

[Dahlia]

Haute Couture is indeed remarkable for surviving through the ages and economic downturns. But I am also feeling that there could be a second wave in couture, more so in the light of returning to personal tailoring and high quality craftsmanship. I think the more people are inundated with fashion choices, the more they want to separate from the pack by "customizing" their garments. It's Tailoring 2.0, I'm about to write a post on my perception on the future of fashion.

But I agree that Haute Couture should be revered as an artform, it would be a true shame to have this industry simply stop. It's like telling people painters should stop painting!