Goa’s Haute Couture Debut

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.