The R35,000 ball gown with 1,000 layers of tulle. The wedding dress with 10,000 hand-sewn swarovski crystals. The floor-length coat made of shredded leather and hand-dyed wool - these are all examples of "haute couture" fashions. Haute couture is a French term that refers to one of a kind, ornate "high" fashion, that are often conceptual and experimental in nature.
Haute couture fashion represents a chance to create the best of the best - using the highest-quality textiles, and unique materials. Haute couture projects give a designer the opportunity to experiment with innovative sewing techniques, hand-sewing and beading, to create fanciful, exquisite designs that are much more prestigious than ready-to-wear (mass market) collections.
Haute couture is a multi-billion rand per-year industry - though most haute couture creations are extremely costly to produce. However, the notoriety and prestige of haute couture fashions have the unique ability to bring out the best in those who wear them.
While haute couture designs are often seen as impractical and even "costumey," there is no denying that no other form of fashion is as visually amazing as haute couture - each season designers take risks with materials, cut, and fit, and continually create stunning garments.
Local designer Nico Willoughby-Smith is one such a designer who's designs pushes the envelope with his innovative and inspiring designs. Every year Nico ensures that his clients' designs represent all that is whimsical and fresh in fashion.
