Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The critical function of couture

Our definitions of what fits into any positive artistic quality are not fixed. They evolve, grow, and more often than not are forced to expand by brilliant artists. This has become the role of the twice yearly couture shows in Paris. The designers who are selected to participate by the Chambre Syndicale de La Haute Couture Parisian are being given a grand stage to display what they are capable of when unconstrained by the demands of the marketplace. The opportunity exists for designers to create magnificent flights of fancy and imagination. I would argue that it is in fact absolutely imperative that they embrace that approach. Anyone who levels the charge, "that's ridiculous, who would ever wear that", at couture creations is revealing ignorance. Without bold experiment and fearless innovation fashion stagnates. If fashion is allowed to wallow in the low gutter of market forces alone culture will suffer. It is the agressive artist who pries open our concepts of beauty, glamour, and elegance, propelling us forward. When I see a couture show treated as a hackneyed tease for RTW it makes me anxious. You are supposed to be one of the finest minds in fashion. You were given unlimited budget and a magnificent heritage and that's what you came up with? Thank goodness for the many designers this season who were fearless and inventive. 

Alexis Mabille Spring Couture 2013

Iris Van Herpen Spring Couture 2013

Armani Prive Spring Couture 2013

Stephane Rolland Spring Couture 2013

Serkan Cura Spring Couture 2013

No comments:

Post a Comment

I crave your thoughts. You will give them to me...Now!

Follow this blog with bloglovin

Follow Design Matters

Total Pageviews