claypoint2
Nobility
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2009
- Messages
- 385
- City
- Cambridge
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- United States
One more thing: Even if an haute couture dress is inspired by a piece in the designer's collection (as they often are), the client can change anything in the design that she doesn't like or that doesn't suit her -- not only the color. For example, if you look at the photo of the wedding dress in the Lacroix haute couture collection, you will see that the bolero had detached sleeves, whereas Philomena's bolero had attached ones. The skirt was also quite different. In other words, each haute couture gown is a specific and unique creation for that particular client -- both in design and fit. In the end, though, what really distinguishes a couture gown is the quality of the workmanship in every single aspect of the piece, and it is nothing short of exquisite.
Vincent, I suspect that Rosario, Princess of Preslav may also wear a good deal of haute couture, although I don't know if the gowns are borrowed. For some time she was officially Valentino's muse, so there may have been a business or public relations aspect involved. As you know, Valentino -- along with Armani and Elie Saab -- are correspondent (foreign) members of the Chambre Syndicale.
The last thing is that I might place the estimate of women who can afford haute couture at a much higher number.... There are probably many wealthy women throughout the world who could afford at least a few pieces, but most of them might not choose to spend their money in this way. I would equate it with buying art -- there are many who may have the financial resources, but not all of them will have the appreciation for it.