Remember how dreamy and elegant Sonam Kapoor looked at her wedding? Every dress
adorned made the blushing bride look drop dead gorgeous and left us asking for more!
The actress looked her bridal best in a red Anita Dongre lehenga. Now that’s what we
call ‘Haute couture done right!
When it comes
to looking your best, one occasion that tops your list is The Big Fat
Indian Wedding. Till about a few years ago it was probably only the
bride that focused so much on her wedding trousseau and ensemble. But
things have now changed. The elitist of today be it the bride and groom,
their family or guests, all want to look nothing but their absolute
best! Needless to say the bride does always steal the show. So what is
Haute Couture? What are its dos and don’ts? How do you differentiate
Haute
Couture from regular fashion? Interested to learn more? Read on
The History:
Haute couture—comes from two French words; Haute – high end and couture - that
literally means dressmaking. Its origin dates back to the days of Louis XVI and Marie
Antoinette’s period of rule. However, Haute Couture did not get a formal recognition in
its own country of origin until a 19th century English designer, Charles Fredrick Worth
opened up his atelier in 1858 in Paris. So impressive was his work that couture work
soon became synonymous with exclusively handmade garments, using the very best
quality fabrics and accessories and by the most accomplished craftsmen in the industry.
Couture garments were fitted to an individual customer’s body shape and then worked
upon by skilled embroiders beaders, embellishment & hemming specialist and believe it
or not, even feathering specialists. Such was Charles Fredrick Worth’s contribution to
the fashion industry that he has been regarded as the father of Haute Couture ever since.
Haute couture, today has become the most popular outlet for gifted designers to show
off their craft—Ellie Saab, Coco Chanel, and Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy are just
a few names of renowned couture designers worldwide. Come to India our very own
designers like JJ Vallya, Sabyasachi, Rohit Bal, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Ritu Kumar
and the likes fall into the couture designer category.
Couture in India is essentially thought to be restricted to garments, mainly bridal wear.
But that is not true. When the focus shifts from our bodies to our houses, gardens and
furniture, we have Haute Couture for the interiors! Designer duo Hemant Sagar and
Didier Lecoanet bring 36 years of experience to the interior design space.
What Separates Haute Couture from Regular Fashion?
Couture work is opulent yet elegant, high end, expensive, exclusive, extremely detail
oriented, and not every designers cup of tea. An established couturier never makes more
than 10-15 samples any particular design which is usually theme based. Most of the
couture work are designs made-to-order clothes for private clients tailored to the tee as
per client’s requirements.
Couture work is a trend setter.
Although the concept of couture work has been present in India for centuries and is
available to the masses the term Haute couture is sometimes misused by many. Every
time a woman buys a few reels of brocade and lace from the market and asks her tailor
transform her old sari material into a customized dress for her, she is asking for a kind
of couture work! The only irony being, what the tailor will do for her is not exclusive and
unique.
High end couture work on the other hand is restricted to connoisseurs of fashion & lifestyle.
Individuals, usually the rich and elite, who can afford to discuss their wardrobe for the
upcoming season with the Rohit Bals and Neeta Lullas of the industry, are looking for
Haute Couture.
"Haute couture" is not a term any designer can claim for their work. There are rules to
be followed, conditions to be met. Designers actually have to follow a very specific set of
rules for before they can claim to be an Haute Couturier.
A couture designer,
must have a strong indigenous signature and style, must more than one fitting session to
customers, get all the work done at an atelier (workshop) that employs at least fifteen
full time craftsmen and up to 20 workers each skilled in some technical workmanship
related to fashion (think embroiders, sewers, embellishers). Last but not the least a
couture designer must showcase a collection of up to 50 original designs — both day and
evening outfits — to the public every season. Think of all the major fashion & luxury
events organised across India; Delhi Couture Week, Lakme Fashion Week are a few
events so to speak.
Haute Couture for the Rich & Elite of India
While there is no doubt that the market for haute couture and the demand
for
customized work by the individual customer are both growing strongly,
most of the
couture designers are largely concentrated in the metropolitan cities of
Mumbai and
Delhi. This leaves a void in the demand supply chain of the rich and
elite in the other
parts of India and this is where Bougainvillea Lifestyle steps in.
We are a Panjim based luxury lifestyle event company that offers the
elite class of Goa a
brand experience like never before.
Join us at Taj Vivanta for the first
ever luxury
lifestyle event in Panjim where you experience exclusive designer wear,
exquisite
designer jewellery all under one roof. Trust us you won’t regret it!
To know more about exhibitor booths and/or sponsorship opportunities get
in touch
with us here.
Get in touch with us to know more about exhibitor booths and/or
sponsorship opportunities. Save the date Sept 1st and 2nd 2018, Taj Vivanta Panjim, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm..
We will be there !! See you too !!
To know more about exhibitor booths and/or sponsorship opportunities get in touch with us here.
