Couture FW 2013: Maison Martin Margiela

If a thrift store adventure could turn into a couture worthy show, Masion Martin Margiela was spot on the concept. Silk flowers, volumes of layered, reconstructed prom gowns, embroidery, and an updated take on oxblood (we'll call it merlot) are just a few details to be found in this collection.

At first look, the show almost looks like the viewer was dropped onto the streets of Tokyo... or maybe just into a Japanese anime from the 80s. Akira anyone? The collection seems to almost literally bloom with detail and sophistication. There were a few dresses that seemed red carpet ready and of course masks that stretch the limits of function and become pieces of art. Oh, and the collection would not be complete without some kind of popular 90s inspiration. In this case, platform boots in a shocking chestnut.








Is it just me or does it almost feel like Betsy Johnson, Heatherette, and Alexander McQueen had a very mature child?
Shop Queen of Mayhem!

Alexis Mabille Fall 09 Couture

I adore this collection! Lace, lace, lace, in black, and white. Lovely. Sweet and soft. The colours are to die for.

Lace is totally going to be a trend again this year!

Artist Spotlight: Katsuya Kamo

I'm loving the biblical inspiration of the Chanel Couture Spring 09 hairdressing.

These headdresses were designed by Katsuya Kamo. One could say that he's not very conventional when it comes to styling. He styled the Chanel headdresses out of paper (wow)!

He has also designed for Karl Lagerfeld. These creations looked like birds in flight.

Kamo is known to do exquisite editorial work.

View more of his work here.

Model Profile: Giedre Dukauskaite

Giedre Dukauskaite

Nationality: Lithuanian

Birthday: May 16, 1988

Born in: Lithuania

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Brown

Height: 5'9.5

Measurements: 33-23-35

Dress Size: 4

Shoe Size: 7

Agencies: New York Model Management, Viva

Advertisements: D&G, Topshop, Uniqlo,

Magazine Covers: Italy: 'D' - March 2007

Known for: My hair

Status: Rising star

Pictured here, backstage at Gaultier Couture F/W 09

Cashing in on Couture

I recently came across a well known fashion forum in which people were asking-- why are designer items priced so high? I was shocked to see some of the replies that this question received, so today we'll take a look into why designer items are priced so high.


Designer clothes are expensive for various reasons. What we know of today as 'haute couture' started in the mid 19th century. Eventually it became regulated. Today there are many strict rules as to what you must do to get classified as a haute couture house such as the number of people that mare employed in your house or the amount of workrooms, etc.


What one must understand about the cost is that each couture fashion house strives to create a collection that is timeless-- something that will be revered for its attention to detail and quality for decades to come. In couture only the finest luxury fabrics are used. Each house strives to maintain the integrity of the piece they designed while making adjustments to the clients figure and personal preference—which sometimes, will even double the work load.

When you buy a couture item, it is required of all haute couture houses that at least one fitting is held. This is labor-intensive process. You also must understand is that these houses sew all of their clothes by hand—only using machine where VERY uniform stitches MUST bee seen.

There are many different sections of a haute couture house. In these houses there is a tailoring room and a dress making room, each having its individual specifications as to how it carries out its work. This may vary from what they make down to the details of what thimbles they use.

Detailed work, such a beading and metal casting is often sent to one of the many specialty shops in Paris. Most everything in haute couture is custom made, including the buttons (and fabric)!

Pret-a-porter, or ready-to-wear collections are different in that the pieces in the collection are not primarily sewn by hand. Instead pieces are assembled my machine operators in a piece-work system in which each operators performs the same task over and over again; thus there is a considerable amount of less handwork than that in haute couture. Luxury ready to wear is made of out high-quality fabrics and sold to many high-end stores in the worlds—however hundreds of each item may be made, versus only the handful that may be made in haute couture. Most of these pieces are clean finished or lined with a rayon or silk lining that conceals the unfinished seams.