HAUTE COUTURE news and archive

Away from the frenzy, creativity shines at haute couture

It was not so long ago that haute couture was held in salons, private sitting room-style presentations that showed the collections to a Maison’s elusive, well-to-do clientele. It was unobtrusive, chic, and most of all held hush-hush behind closed doors. But those are days of yore. Just like ready-to-wear, haute couture is vying for fashion’s...

Jan 26, 2023

Fashion

Josephine Baker and the Roaring Twenties celebrated by Dior

From cabaret feathers to sleek suits and velvet robes, Dior celebrated Josephine Baker and the wild freedom of the Roaring Twenties in a celeb-packed show on Monday to kickstart haute couture week in Paris. A parade of stars were in the front row, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Kirsten Dunst, Rosamund Pike and K-Pop's Jisoo, to see Chiuru's homage...

Jan 24, 2023

Fashion

The Mumbai atelier that's the secret workshop of top French fashion

Sitting in a lotus position, four men weave glittering beads through gold thread on an organza sheet, carefully constructing a wedding dress that will soon wow crowds at Paris Fashion Week. For once, the French couturier behind the design, Julien Fournie, is determined to put these craftsmen in the spotlight: his new collection, showing in Paris...

Jan 24, 2023

Fashion Featured

Daniel Roseberry's couture animals for Schiaparelli receive a roaring backlash

The Paris haute couture season got off to a controversial start with Daniel Roseberry’s Schiaparelli’s show on Monday. The collection, inspired by Dante’s Inferno, a work about seeking enlightenment, featured several spectacular animal heads sewn onto garments. They were a representation of Dante's journey to find his way to heaven when he is...

Jan 24, 2023

People

Sidney Toledano appointed head of France's Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture

Sidney Toledano has been appointed the new head of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Mr Toledano succeeds Ralph Toledano, who is no relation, and who held the position alongside the presidency of France’s fashion chamber, FHCM, since 2015. Sidney Toledano will remain Chairman and CEO of LVMH Fashion Group, as well as Chairman of the...

Nov 28, 2022

People

Jean Paul Gaultier announces Haider Ackermann as next haute couture guest

Colombian-born designer Haider Ackermann has been revealed as the next haute couture guest for Jean Paul Gaultier’s spring/summer 2023 collection. Over the course of his career, the Paris-based creator has been the head of a number of prominent fashion houses, including Dior, Martin Margiela and Berluti, after he completed a five month...

Sep 30, 2022

Fashion Featured

Paris Fashion Week: events outside of the official calendar

September 26 will see the start of Paris Fashion Week, where 105 designers and brands will present their women’s spring/summer 2023 collections as part of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) calendar. But what is going on outside of the official schedule? FashionUnited has put together a selection of off-show events to look...

Sep 20, 2022

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...

Aug 31, 2022

Fashion Featured

What is with the resurgence in couture?

Haute couture was once the pinnacle of what was considered fashion across the world. Fashion was about selling dreams and artistry, and the work Paris couturiers put into their creations for their clients was legendary. Some of the biggest names in fashion, from Christian Dior to Coco Chanel, made legendary names of themselves thanks to their...

Aug 19, 2022

Fashion |In Pictures Featured

Valentino couture a feast of colour in Rome

Valentino went home to Rome to showcase its latest haute couture collection, ‘The Beginning,’ depicting the idea of “beauty heralded” by its creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli. The Italian fashion house turned Rome’s Spanish Steps into a rainbow of colour with a joyful autumn/winter haute couture collection filled with dramatic silhouettes and...

Jul 11, 2022

Fashion Featured

Fall 2022 Haute Couture round-up

It was back to business as usual at Paris haute couture, but some designers and houses offered a touch of modernity amongst a trade that continues to value traditional escapism for the elite. Armani Privé Showing his first couture show in over two years, Mr Armani stuck to the codes that have built his name and company into a global empire....

Jul 8, 2022

Fashion |In Pictures

Iris Van Herpen celebrates 15th year anniversary during Paris Couture Week

Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen combined the metaverse with haute couture and 8th Century literature to mark the label’s 15th anniversary. Widely known as a transformative force in fashion, Iris Van Herpen once again showcased her innovative talent for combining technology and craftsmanship with a future fashion outlook to present an haute...

Jul 6, 2022