Good morning, Friday. I know I always do a five spot for ya on days such as these, but I was just laying in bed checking out all the coverage from the Paris couture shows and as I was going to post my five favorite looks, I found myself completely swept away by Raf Simon's first collection for Dior Haute Couture. Simon's last collection for JIl Sander nearly had me in tears, for its sublte beauty, nod to the midcentury, and endlessly beautiful wearability. Surrounded by flowers and fashion's creme de la creme, Simmons new post as head of Dior did not dissapoint, and left me breathless as I checked out all of the looks on style.com .
Having just visited the Met yesterday to check out the Prada/ Schiaparelli show at hte Costume Institute, I felt inspired to write a post about high fashion. The show was fantastic by the way- and I adored the contrast between Miuccia Prada's belief that calling fashion art is a bit off base, and that conversations on fashion should nod to the fact that fashion is indeed democratic- after all, we all wear clothes and many of us can relate to the notion of fashion- regardless of whether you're a Saudi Arabian princess with couture appetites and a wallet to match. Schiaparelli, however, was deeply entrenched in the other camp- that fashion is an art form- and her collaborations with the likes of Dali certainly proved her point- a hat made to look like a shoe is certainly an art moment any way you slice it, and not for the more fashionably democratic types who would never think of putting such a thing on one's head.
Which brings me to the couture collections, and Mr. Simons in particular- I'm not sure if you have ever seen the rather fabulous documentary on such matters, "The Secret World of Haute Couture", but it's well worth a watch to see how incredibly intricate and exclusive this world is. Does the very notion of haute couture seem out of step with our times? Yup, it sure does. It's hard to think about dresses that cost five or more digits when so many people are wondering how they are going to feed their families. But is it a lost art, a world of beautiful extravagance and crafstmanship that can hold its own indeed- after all- people buy paintings for millions of dollars, so perhaps that very audience expects the same from their wardrobe- an art form that is worth every penny, for those privileged few that can afford to support and keep employed the tailors, seamstresses, and design houses that still subscribe to the idea that couture, although insanely inaccesible, is an art form that can even be enjoyed by those that may never own a single piece.
I suppose that's where I fit in, and as I looked at photos of the collections I was wowed by the usual big dresses, beading, and hyper detailed silhouettes that are beyond beautiful. But Raf's collection- wow. And wow again. As I checked out each look (see album above for my favs) I realized that there were very few pieces I wouldn't put on my body if I could- what I adored about his collection was the wearability of the pieces- the unfussiness, the modern take on a very old fashioned tradition. I think Raf's genius is steeped in the fact that although most of us could never afford to wear these looks, we can admire them and see their importance and amazing Belgian restraint- they are accessible and sheerly modern and next generation and so very right now, and those big dresses at the end will well satisfy those couture types looking for something confectionary to wear to next season's parties. And yes, the thought that there are people in the world that can afford to pay upwards of a down payment on a house for a suit seems insane (moreover to show that you can in such austere times), the artistry and genius of these pieces and their democratic extravagance are inspired perfection. (Very expensive) chapeaus off to Mr. Simons for making the couture something we all can appreciate- I myself am imagining a trunk case or ten filled iwth every piece from this collection, and in this admittedly dismal world we live in, what's wrong with dreaming a little?
And that's what's up this not fived F but Raf Simons deserves maj props kind of Friday in the 718. All the love. it's hot as hell outside so why not catch up on your fashion this weekend in air conditioned comfort? Oh, and dream a little- if not of dresses than whatever you fancy- perhaps a bike ride through Paris as captured by Tommy Ton, or an appreciation of those bits of magic that may be out of reach, but make you happy to be alive. XO