Couture week in Paris
Attending Paris Fashion week as a journalist for Captendance Magazine was a dream. Working for a luxury lifestyle magazine, my editor and I were on a few lists for fashion shows for the Paris fashion weeks, but none so glamorous as Haute Couture week! Each season we eagerly awaited the arrival of the beautiful invitations in our company’s mail box, some were incredible creations with the loveliest papers, and others were an email sent to us at the last minute. I will never forget the incredible first season of Haute Couture shows I was invited to. Let me share a little insight into what it’s like to attend Paris Fashion Week.
Guo Pei
Most readers have to think about the name Guo Pei, until they are reminded of her most famous piece, the enormous yellow cape that Rihanna wore on the red carpet to the Met gala in 2015.
In the fall of 2017, ScadFash here in Atlanta held an exhibit of some of the magnificent pieces from the Archives of Guo Pei and because I am a great supporter of any fashion museum, I immediately toured the exhibit the day it opened and saw this masterpiece in person. But before the exhibit opened I was able to secure a spot at the July Haute Couture show in Paris and get a first look at her Fall/Winter 2017 collection:
Yumi Katsura
Yumi Katsura is better known in the U.S. for her bridal fashions, but her couture pieces are something to behold! Ms Katsura’s inspiration often comes from the art and culture of her home country, Japan, so each piece that walks the runway has some hint of Japan either in the print or the style. Her use of glorious silks and brocades, accented with laces or feathers is just stunning. Having been privileged to interview the designer herself, she is a very gracious and humble artist. She insisted on showing us photographs of the art that inspired the season’s line. The windows of her charming boutique at 26 Rue Cambon typically has one of her stunning Kimono inspired couture designs displayed in all its glory!
Julien Fournié
Julien Fournié, has been one of the select few members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture since 2017. Fournié opened his own house in 2009 after working on accessories for the houses of Nina Ricci, Christian Dior and Givenchy. His shows never disappoint and my favorite one was inspired by the films of Alfred Hitchcock.
http://www.graceinparis.com/magazine/haute-couture-mystery-by-julien-fournie
Marie De George
Wearing a custom coat during PFW made for me by a local Atlanta Couturier, Marie De George
Here in Atlanta we have our very own couturier, Marie De George https://mariedegeorgedesign.com/
I found Marie De George at a charity gala when I discovered a silent auction package for a consultation and drawing from a local designer. Ms. De George is a lovely woman with a talent that rivals anything you could find in Paris. We spoke for hours about her many inspirations including the classic pieces from couture houses, one of her favorites being Ralph Rucci with his clean lines, solid structure and eye for detail. Over several weeks, I spent many days with Mademoiselle De George in her studio, while she sketched and we talked about all the places I would wear this gorgeous coat she was creating for me. I was going to PFW in September of 2018 and I planned to wear it attending all of the shows, coordinated with head to toe black ensembles underneath. She started with sketches, took measurements, created a toile (muslin), fitted and re-fitted the toile, looked at fabric swatches for materials, discussed embellishment including embroidery and beading, went for more fittings as the pieces were cut and sewn together, and finally the day arrived when I was to pick up my coat. It was a dream come true to be a part of creating my very own design with this lovely woman.
