Paris Haute Couture Fall 2021
Who put the haute in Haute Couture? Haute means high, couture means dressmaking. Did you know that 19th century Englishman Charles Frederick Worth is considered the father of French Haute Couture? Let’s enjoy these magnificent, hand crafted garments together and celebrate the talent and the imagination of the world’s greatest fashion artists.
“The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode seeks to promote French fashion culture. Haute Couture and its creation have a major global impact by combining traditional skills and contemporary technology. It contributes to bolstering Paris in its role as worldwide fashion capital in particular coordinating Paris Fashion Week®.”
Elie Saab’s collection was outstanding. Here is his feather ensemble, as seen in his exquisite must-watch video.
Elie Saab animated GIF, Vogue Look 3
Elie Saab animated GIF, Vogue Look 20
Elie Saab animated GIF, Vogue Look 44
Vintage Cristóbal Balenciaga, considered the master couturier. Haute couture is the creation of exclusive custom-fitted apparel; luxury fashion that is constructed by hand from start to finish, made from the highest quality, expensive, luxurious fabrics and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and talented artisans, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques.
Balenciaga designer Demna Gvasalia crafts a modern take on an original Balenciaga silhouette. On July 7th, 2021, Balenciaga presented Couture for the first time since 1967, when founder Cristóbal Balenciaga left the fashion industry. Balenciaga Couture Winter 21 is officially the House’s 50th Couture collection—and artistic director Demna Gvasalia’s first. Watch the show here.
Cristóbal Balenciaga was considered the original couturier by his peers. He only designed apparel for individual clients. This modern design references the early Balenciaga silhouettes.
Peanut butter comfort couture. Kerby Jean-Raymond was the first Black American to present haute couture as a guest of the Chambre Syndicale. He presented his Pyer Moss couture collection within a performance setting. Each garment referenced an innovation by a black inventor. Part history lesson, part music, part dance, totally fun. Watch the video here.
Viktor & Rolf. Here’s comes the Queen…wearing a plastic crown.
Look closely, the “fur” is actually raffia. Viktor & Rolf.
Faux “ermine” cape. Tongue-in-cheek giant sash. Viktor & Rolf.
Bejeweled in massive plastic gemstones. Viktor & Rolf’s video, entitled, “The New Royals,” takes a light hearted approach to what we consider royalty. Watch it here.
Viktor & Rolf consider their fashion “An antidote to reality.”
Whimsical acorn motif suit for men. Fendi, by designer Kim Jones.
Retro vibe with thigh high boots. Fendi.
Stunning bolero jacket referencing the majestic ancient Roman mosaics. Fendi.
Undulating textures craft a show-stopping ballgown. Fendi.
Schiaparelli, when you absolutely have to make a grand entrance.
Incredible silver metallic trench with classic Schiaparelli hand and lip motif buckle.
Avant-garde Matador Couture by Schiaparelli. Watch the fabulous video here.
Daniel Roseberry, designer for Schiaparelli, references a vintage rose Elsa Schiaparelli design. Roseberry considers his designs, “irreverent grandeur.”
The Haute Couture shows are a gift to us all. Revel in the extraordinary opulence and creativity.
