Last week while I was in Paris, I had a bit of time to kill before my meeting and so of course, I headed straight to Galignani on rue de Rivoli, my favorite bookstore in the whole world. While browsing the aisles, I came across a tiny little book entitled Conférences écrites par Christian Dior pour la Sorbonne, 1955-1957 (Éditions du regard, 2003), a set of two lectures written by Dior for la Sorbonne (although the latter was never delivered).
The lectures contain interesting observations on the importance of fashion in general and of haute couture in particular. Given the current troubles plaguing the fashion industry and the recent news regarding French couturier Christian Lacroix, I think they merit a closer examination.
On fashion generally:
"Frivolous? No. Fashion is no more frivolous than poetry or song." (p.23)
On haute couture in particular:
"The dresses we make are, I concede, accessible to few. This should not be held against them for the elite are a necessary part of society. Moreover, haute couture confections serve two essential functions. First, it [a couture dress] is a prototype and therefore necessarily expensive. Second, it is a treasure of craftsmanship, a triumph of handiwork. It represents hundreds of hours of toil. That is its intrinsic value. But it also serves another inestimable purpose. It is like the first rasberry or the first Lily-of-the-Valley. It is ahead of its time and completely unique. It is this confection as it is worn that will set the fashion for Paris and for the world." (p.25)
Please keep in mind that my translation is a loose one and I quite clearly lack the master couturier's eloquence. I encourage you to pick up a copy of this lovely little book and read it for yourselves. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
The Luxe Chronicles
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