Couture news and archive

The contrast between haute couture and ready-to-wear

Ready-to-wear and couture present two different approaches to making clothing. While haute couture refers to handmade, unique and custom-made garments, ready-to-wear is clothing produced in large(er) quantities in a factory – which incidentally still always requires human hands – and is accessible to the general public because of its lower...

Background

Fashion: from catwalk to closet

What is fashion exactly? What influences are there on fashion? What role do Fashion Weeks play? How do trends arise and how do trends find their way into our wardrobe? FashionUnited explains. Contents • Definition of fashion and trends • Trends and acceptance • What influences fashion • What role do Fashion Weeks play? • How fashion trends find...

Fashion |In Pictures

Georges Hobeika unveils couture collection designed with son Jad

Georges Hobeika has unveiled a new chapter at the fashion house with the first official collection designed by the storied couturier and his son Jad Hobeika, who was recently named co-creative director. The autumn/winter 2022-2023 couture collection, entitled ‘Eternal Gifts’ was inspired by the natural world and humanity, capturing waterfalls,...

People

Olivier Rousteing confirmed as the next Jean Paul Gaultier couture guest designer

Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing has been confirmed as the next designer to take over Jean Paul Gaultier couture, following in the footsteps of Glenn Martens and Sacai’s Chitose Abe. In a series of posts on the official Jean Paul Gaultier Instagram account, Rousteing was seen taking selfies and photographs at the brand’s headquarters...

Culture

Fondation Azzedine Alaïa announces new exhibition

The Fondation Azzedine Alaïa in Paris is to host a new exhibition ‘Alaïa Afore Alaïa’ in honour of the couturier, created by the designer himself some years before his death. Under the direction of Olivier Saillard, ‘Alaïa Afore Alaïa’ will analyse the designer’s formative years between the 1950s, just before the budding couturier would leave...

Fashion

Pyer Moss Couture show postponed

If you were patiently waiting for Kerby Jean-Raymond to debut Pyer Moss Couture yesterday from New York as part of Paris Couture Week, you will have to wait a little longer as heavy, persistent rain forced the designer to postpone. Jean-Raymond, a guest designer of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture this season, chose to showcase his...

Fashion |In Pictures Featured

Dior presents first physical haute couture show in 18 months

After two seasons of digital haute couture fashion films, Christian Dior returned to Paris Haute Couture Week with a physical catwalk showcase for its autumn/winter 2021 collection. In the show notes, Dior’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, said that the catwalk showcase with a large audience was her way of “reclaiming the values of haute...

Fashion |Interview Featured

Ostwald on the craftsmanship of couture bags

When you think of couture, most people think of clothing from the likes of Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton, however, there is a growing appetite for one-off pieces in accessories and leading the way is German independent Ostwald merging subtle luxury and traditional craftsmanship to produce unique handbags from high quality tanned and refined...

Fashion

Valentino to showcase couture collection in Venice

Italian fashion house Valentino has announced its fall 2021-22 couture collection will be showcased in Venice. The event is called Valentino Des Ateliers and will be held on July 15 in front of a small group of attendees. Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino creative director, told WWD: “One the most challenging aspects of my work during these...

Fairs

Haute Couture Fashion Week to hold physical shows in July

The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode has confirmed that the next edition of Haute Couture week in July will feature physical shows and presentations. In a short statement, French fashion’s organising body, said: “Depending on the evolution of the sanitary situation, the physical events may welcome guests in accordance with a specific...

BusinessFeatured

Ralph and Russo falls into administration

British couture house Ralph and Russo have been placed into administration, citing the impact of Covid-19. On the brand’s Instagram, Tamara Ralph, creative director and Michael Russo, chief executive of Ralph and Russo, said in a joint statement: “It is with great sadness that after 11 years we announce that Ralph and Russo has today been placed...

Fashion Featured

Haute Couture Week kicks off digitally in Paris

While Covid-19 has forced Haute Couture Week to host digitally for its spring/summer 2021 couture season, the official schedule confirms that 28 houses are set to participate. Haute Couture Week takes place from today, January 25 until January 28 and will feature Chanel, Dior, Giambattista Valli, Giorgio Armani Privé, Iris Van Herpen, Valentino,...