Comments on: The art of Couture http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/ Visual Inspiration and Critical Spirit Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:24:17 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: P the Knightsman http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-525 P the Knightsman Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:55:36 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-525 Hello Alize, I cannot claim to have half of the knowledge of Couture & fashion that the previous contributers clearly possess, but I feel just as compelled to comment now as when we met and told me about this article. I still find the thought of Couture no-longer existing heart breaking and I can't comprehend how anybody can look at some of the amazing creations over history and describe them as anything other than art. My personal definition of art is; if that which is in question can trigger emotion (positive and negative are just as valid), and to play with your imagination by challenging what you thought was possible though any medium. Couture does this equally to anything I have ever experienced - poetry, architecture, painting, illustration, sculpture, music, story telling... (I could go on, but it is now 2am). For me Couture is the soul of fashion, and the body cannot live with out the soul. I am sure the support can be gathered to keep this industry(?)/ dream factory alive, provided it is given the right platform and/or exposure. Hello Alize,

I cannot claim to have half of the knowledge of Couture & fashion that the previous contributers clearly possess, but I feel just as compelled to comment now as when we met and told me about this article. I still find the thought of Couture no-longer existing heart breaking and I can’t comprehend how anybody can look at some of the amazing creations over history and describe them as anything other than art.

My personal definition of art is; if that which is in question can trigger emotion (positive and negative are just as valid), and to play with your imagination by challenging what you thought was possible though any medium. Couture does this equally to anything I have ever experienced – poetry, architecture, painting, illustration, sculpture, music, story telling… (I could go on, but it is now 2am).

For me Couture is the soul of fashion, and the body cannot live with out the soul. I am sure the support can be gathered to keep this industry(?)/ dream factory alive, provided it is given the right platform and/or exposure.

]]> By: Alize Morand http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-452 Alize Morand Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:23:02 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-452 Olivier: I do love your philosophical take, it's amazing how everyone's knowledge is bringing to the conversation, I'm liking this. I also love the idea of: "does art need to be universally considered art to actually be Art?". I think that's the key matter, since the definition of art is subjective after all, and the idea of couture differs for many - and non-fashion-lovers might dismiss it particularly, often by lack of knowledge or differentiation with ready-to-wear. Nes: Wow, such an interesting insight, again. You are very right, it is all about how a discipline adapts to its times, 'survival of the fittest' style. There is the beauty of heritage (of a house, a couturier), of history and old craftsmanship, but eventually it's what is done now that matters. Plus, I think the lesson is that no matter how good and creative art is, you always need a good accountant, sponsor, or financier to make sure the business side works too. It goes altogether. Olivier: I do love your philosophical take, it’s amazing how everyone’s knowledge is bringing to the conversation, I’m liking this. I also love the idea of: “does art need to be universally considered art to actually be Art?”. I think that’s the key matter, since the definition of art is subjective after all, and the idea of couture differs for many – and non-fashion-lovers might dismiss it particularly, often by lack of knowledge or differentiation with ready-to-wear.
Nes: Wow, such an interesting insight, again. You are very right, it is all about how a discipline adapts to its times, ’survival of the fittest’ style. There is the beauty of heritage (of a house, a couturier), of history and old craftsmanship, but eventually it’s what is done now that matters. Plus, I think the lesson is that no matter how good and creative art is, you always need a good accountant, sponsor, or financier to make sure the business side works too. It goes altogether.

]]> By: Nes http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-444 Nes Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:12:26 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-444 It is impossible to get everyone agree on the meaning of Art. It is an expression, or a form of. Keeping this in mind, it would be impossible to suggest couture is not art, especially the great point you made about handmade - and not mass produced - pieces. Subjectivity is unavoidable in art, and always will be. Because creativity is just that; exploration, subjective, beautiful and ugly. However I also believe the success of art (earning money, gaining interest, creating word of mouth, not going bankrupt and in this case the falling of couture) can not be used to argue if art is art or not. Most argue the most famous artists are merely an artist :). Success of art (in this case couture) is dependent on the social culture; what we want NOW, what we NEED now and what we SEE now. Art is precious, but that won't mean it will survive/must survive. Because art has many forms, and like with most things in life, it changes; It changes format, culture, people, and we evolve with each change. So we sometimes leave some art behind. Not the feeling of it, but the physicality of it. It is impossible to get everyone agree on the meaning of Art. It is an expression, or a form of. Keeping this in mind, it would be impossible to suggest couture is not art, especially the great point you made about handmade – and not mass produced – pieces.

Subjectivity is unavoidable in art, and always will be. Because creativity is just that; exploration, subjective, beautiful and ugly. However I also believe the success of art (earning money, gaining interest, creating word of mouth, not going bankrupt and in this case the falling of couture) can not be used to argue if art is art or not. Most argue the most famous artists are merely an artist :) . Success of art (in this case couture) is dependent on the social culture; what we want NOW, what we NEED now and what we SEE now. Art is precious, but that won’t mean it will survive/must survive. Because art has many forms, and like with most things in life, it changes; It changes format, culture, people, and we evolve with each change.

So we sometimes leave some art behind. Not the feeling of it, but the physicality of it.

]]> By: Olivier http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-432 Olivier Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:20:18 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-432 The question of art.. This matter appears to have troubled many philosophers, raised your interest and traumatised many students (No, no, I am not making a reference out of my own case!) If you want to determine whether Couture is an Art or not, you need a sound definition of art. For once, I must say I partly disagree with you : Art is not only about the display of extraordinary talents, but also and above all else about the elevation of the minds, to allow more cultivated thinking. ( I am practically referring to Kant and his Critique of Judgment here) Now, does Couture allow us to do so? It might not do the job with me, but I am positive it does it with you Lily. This brings us to another question : does art need to be universally considered art to actually be Art? I am sorry, I hope this post is not as confused as I (now) am......:-/ Interesting post anyways, leading once more to interesting thinking, Come sempre ;-) XX The question of art..
This matter appears to have troubled many philosophers, raised your interest and traumatised many students (No, no, I am not making a reference out of my own case!)
If you want to determine whether Couture is an Art or not, you need a sound definition of art.
For once, I must say I partly disagree with you : Art is not only about the display of extraordinary talents, but also and above all else about the elevation of the minds, to allow more cultivated thinking. ( I am practically referring to Kant and his Critique of Judgment here)
Now, does Couture allow us to do so? It might not do the job with me, but I am positive it does it with you Lily.
This brings us to another question : does art need to be universally considered art to actually be Art?
I am sorry, I hope this post is not as confused as I (now) am……:-/
Interesting post anyways, leading once more to interesting thinking, Come sempre ;-)
XX

]]> By: Alize Morand http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-431 Alize Morand Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:20:45 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-431 Bernadette: Agreed. Apart from his gorgeous bows, I didn't know Mabille's work so much either. Actually, my dissertation is not exactly on Couture, it's more on the relationship between fashion and the arts. I'll come back to it anyway! x Bernadette: Agreed. Apart from his gorgeous bows, I didn’t know Mabille’s work so much either. Actually, my dissertation is not exactly on Couture, it’s more on the relationship between fashion and the arts. I’ll come back to it anyway! x

]]> By: Bernadette http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-430 Bernadette Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:28:39 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-430 Hey Alize, I loved Givenchy! Hands down my favorite. I did like Alexis Mabille too, though I have to admit I do not know much about him. I liked how casual the collection was for couture, simple. And those ribbons! Was curious to know your thoughts since you're writing your dissertation on couture. Good luck with it! xo Bernadette Hey Alize,
I loved Givenchy! Hands down my favorite. I did like Alexis Mabille too, though I have to admit I do not know much about him. I liked how casual the collection was for couture, simple. And those ribbons! Was curious to know your thoughts since you’re writing your dissertation on couture. Good luck with it! xo Bernadette

]]> By: Alize Morand http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-429 Alize Morand Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:41:11 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-429 Pierre-Jean: I know, so airy and romantic, so soft and elegant and this drape! x Mark T: Thanks for your insightful contribution. I agree with you that Couture feeds the myth, the extravagance and the fearless creativity of designers and houses and supports the 'trade' by creating this image that make people dream. That made me dream of the wonderful world of fashion as a little girl (which I had yet to realise is not really wonderful). You are probably right: a house needs both to function. But for me, Couture is not 'rag trade' (I'm sorry M. Grumbach!). May I quote artist Octave Uzanne: 'Dress for a woman is the first of the arts...' Dapper Kid: I have the same romantic vision as you, my dear. I completely agree that without Couture, not only would the skills be lost or the level of work lowered, but the creativity would probably not be pushed as much. Couture does provide that inspiration, regardless of what sells and what is 'trendy': it is FREE (almost). And I think the comparison with architecture is very relevant. Fashion is not art like fine art is. But it is an artistic, creative, visual discipline, with a commercial side to it, just like cinema, dance, architecture. It inspires other artistic disciplines. Thanks for feeding the discussion with such inspired thoughts. La C.: Agreed. Couture is inspired by everything, and so inspiring as a result. Thinking of all the references to artists in each Couture collection.. And I guess the now rarity of Couture collections makes them all the more unique and special. I just hope our generation is not the last one to witness this (fashionable) form of art. Bernadette: Thank you. I wrote this post especially because I thought of it as relevant since it is Couture week and because of the current situation for the house of Lacroix. Maybe because there were few, I found the collections particularly striking. Clues: love and endless admiration for Givenchy and Alexis Mabille. ;) Pierre-Jean: I know, so airy and romantic, so soft and elegant and this drape! x
Mark T: Thanks for your insightful contribution. I agree with you that Couture feeds the myth, the extravagance and the fearless creativity of designers and houses and supports the ‘trade’ by creating this image that make people dream. That made me dream of the wonderful world of fashion as a little girl (which I had yet to realise is not really wonderful). You are probably right: a house needs both to function. But for me, Couture is not ‘rag trade’ (I’m sorry M. Grumbach!). May I quote artist Octave Uzanne: ‘Dress for a woman is the first of the arts…’
Dapper Kid: I have the same romantic vision as you, my dear. I completely agree that without Couture, not only would the skills be lost or the level of work lowered, but the creativity would probably not be pushed as much. Couture does provide that inspiration, regardless of what sells and what is ‘trendy’: it is FREE (almost). And I think the comparison with architecture is very relevant. Fashion is not art like fine art is. But it is an artistic, creative, visual discipline, with a commercial side to it, just like cinema, dance, architecture. It inspires other artistic disciplines. Thanks for feeding the discussion with such inspired thoughts.
La C.: Agreed. Couture is inspired by everything, and so inspiring as a result. Thinking of all the references to artists in each Couture collection.. And I guess the now rarity of Couture collections makes them all the more unique and special. I just hope our generation is not the last one to witness this (fashionable) form of art.
Bernadette: Thank you. I wrote this post especially because I thought of it as relevant since it is Couture week and because of the current situation for the house of Lacroix. Maybe because there were few, I found the collections particularly striking. Clues: love and endless admiration for Givenchy and Alexis Mabille. ;)

]]> By: Bernadette http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-425 Bernadette Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:58:13 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-425 Hello Alize, So happy you left such a lovely comment on my blog so that it lead me to yours, I love it! I haven't made it very far into your posts but I'll be sure to return to read more into it, this initial post has me very intrigued. I love the idea of returning to fashion on a personal level where things are made very specially (handmade lace!) and not mass produced (or being influenced by production schedules, making money). Also this post comes right in time for all the couture shows being reported back from Paris... what do you think of them so far? Will be back soon, thanks again for your comment. xo Bernadette (decadediary.typepad.com) Hello Alize,
So happy you left such a lovely comment on my blog so that it lead me to yours, I love it! I haven’t made it very far into your posts but I’ll be sure to return to read more into it, this initial post has me very intrigued. I love the idea of returning to fashion on a personal level where things are made very specially (handmade lace!) and not mass produced (or being influenced by production schedules, making money). Also this post comes right in time for all the couture shows being reported back from Paris… what do you think of them so far? Will be back soon, thanks again for your comment. xo Bernadette (decadediary.typepad.com)

]]> By: La Couturier http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-424 La Couturier Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:13:46 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-424 Oh and in response to your comment: Oh mon Dieu that sounds unbelievably amazing, so much that I am incredibly jealous! It sounds so beautiful, darling! Alize. Of course I approve – your style sounds impeccable! And I just spent an hour or so re-reading your archives <3 bisous, La C. Oh and in response to your comment: Oh mon Dieu that sounds unbelievably amazing, so much that I am incredibly jealous! It sounds so beautiful, darling! Alize. Of course I approve – your style sounds impeccable!

And I just spent an hour or so re-reading your archives <3

bisous,
La C.

]]> By: La Couturier http://alizemorand.com/2009/07/08/the-art-of-couture/#comment-422 La Couturier Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:23:31 +0000 http://alizemorand.wordpress.com/?p=607#comment-422 Beautiful piece, darling Alize! You do know my take on fashion - and couture is no different. I believe it epitomizes art in the fashion world - hand stitched, hand beaded, etc. The toils and love of an artist poured into something so extravagant, from the sketches, to the material, to the execution of the piece! And couture collections hold the most culture & history, I believe - every couture collection is a melange of that artist's/location's/etc. history. It's truly beautiful! bisous, La C. Beautiful piece, darling Alize!

You do know my take on fashion – and couture is no different. I believe it epitomizes art in the fashion world – hand stitched, hand beaded, etc. The toils and love of an artist poured into something so extravagant, from the sketches, to the material, to the execution of the piece!

And couture collections hold the most culture & history, I believe – every couture collection is a melange of that artist’s/location’s/etc. history. It’s truly beautiful!

bisous,
La C.

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