The Devil is in the Details

"It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion that heralds your
arrival and prolongs your departure." -Coco Chanel
Against popular notion, haute couture is much more than just exquisite gowns, it is a space
regulated by law.

With a miniscule association of 14 permanent members and a meagre 2000 in clientele, how
does haute couture remain the most influential in fashion?
It starts with an idea and ends with the finished outcome but the real artistry lies in
everything that is in between. They are carefully handcrafted with a lot of attention to detail,
with each piece taking months to make. Although details are minute, they are paramount. The
beauty is in the process. Think voluminous feathers, delicate embroidery, eye-catching details
etc.

The runway shows being the most important and fascinating, are invite only, making them
out of reach for the majority. The shows in itself are a whole experience and play a
significant role in the perception of the idea of the collection.
Haute Couture is a symbol of power & prestige for people that do not have to reach for the
price tag while playing with fashion. Much like art, haute couture pieces are considered
investments by the super rich.
They often go unsold, so why spend hours on end to create these one-of-a-kind pieces? It's
because they bring a great deal of publicity to the design house and in turn drive sales to the
ready to wear section which is cheaper and accessible to the masses.
But the main objective of haute couture is not to drive sales or be wearable, but to create,
simply for the sake of creating. These collections are much like a blank canvas for artists, that
give us insights into the vision of some of the industry's most ingenious minds. They are
larger than life and a form of self-expression for designers. They are meant to be memorable.
These pieces make use of the finest fabrics, the most time consuming and labour-intensive
practices with the world's most skilled workforce. Why?
Simply to keep the artistry fashion alive.
But the craftsmanship isn’t the only thing that makes it so special. It’s the creative thought
process that commences this laborious dressmaking practice.
It is like art in a lot of ways, it is bliss for those who dare to create it.