Practical Couture?

Givenchy

Armani

Dior

Chanel

Lacroix

With the economy in shambles the glistening shine of the fashion world appears somewhat tarnished. In Paris these week, fall couture was focused on more classic wearable collections, starkly opposing the over-the-top opulence of last season. While for many, couture embodies the fashion designer’s unrestrained fantastical vision, many have lamented the exorbitant cost of producing a collection not designed for commercial consumption. Every couture garment is a labor of love, but that labor comes with a steep price tag. For a handful of the fashion elite the extreme cost is well worth the status of owning such coveted items, but this season couture clients and designers seem to be changing their tune. Most are showing collections that are more restrained, returning to more conventional shapes, cuts, and colours. Armani reclaimed the pantsuit, Lagerfeld worked with geometry, Tisci hit a high note with chiffon gowns, and Galliano showed relatively restrained volume. All sumptuous but less excessive then last season.