Haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion have gone through a fascinating evolution over the years. While the desire for high-end fashion has never wavered, the ways of designing and producing it have changed drastically to accommodate modern trends, production standards, and consumers’ needs. From dressmakers to luxury fashion houses, the dynamics of high fashion have undergone a revolutionary transformation.
1. From Catwalk to Closet: The History of High Fashion
High fashion has had a dignified presence in global culture since the 1920s. From its origins in Paris’ couture houses to its reach now penetrating the closets of the modern consumer, its evolution has been dramatic. What started out as exclusive custom-made garments for a select few, has become a symbol of self-expression for many.
- First came couturiers who set the bar for luxury fashion with their outlandishly decorated designs. Aimed at the elite upper class, these gowns were renowned for the intricate detail of their handcrafting. Every stitch was intended to flaunt the wearer’s wealth and fashion-savvy.
- By the 1960s, ready-to-wear attire was introduced to satisfy the growing demand by a wider audience. Tailored to perfection, these clothes brought high-end fashion to the public and allowed more people to wear clothes similar to the garments originally crafted for an aristocratic elite. Elite fashion was no longer exclusive.
- High-fashion garments began appearing on the catwalk and trends were set by the fashion parades. Audiences around the world were captivated by the latest fashions and bleared for more. In the 21st century, the industry was further driven by celebrities and social media. Nowadays, what’s seen on the runway has a direct impact on people’s closets.
Fashion today has evolved into a representation of personal style and identity, making it possible for anyone to express themselves in the clothes they wear. What began as an exclusive form of art can now be found everywhere. From the back streets of Milan to the high-rise malls of Shanghai, high-fashion culture touches all corners of the globe.
2. Defining Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear
The terms haute couture and ready-to-wear are two of the most important terms in fashion and are often confusing to fashionistas alike. It’s essential to understand their definitions and the differences between them.
Haute Couture is a type of high fashion that is entirely handcrafted from start to finish. It is the most luxurious of fashion that is available and is custom-made for each customer to their exact preferences, often from high-end fabrics that cost thousands of dollars. Haute couture is designed for special occasions or moments where the dress must be unique and extraordinary.
Ready-to-Wear refers to clothing that is already made and available to purchase off the rack. While this type of clothing does not offer the same level of luxury as haute couture, it is far more affordable and is often fashionable and of high quality. Ready-to-wear clothing is designed for everyday wear and is suitable for many occasions.
The defining features of haute couture and ready-to-wear clothing can be remembered by the following:
- Haute couture: high-end clothing custom-made from start to finish for one customer
- Ready-to-wear: clothing already made and available to purchase off the rack
3.Comparing the Costs and Convenience of Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear
When it comes to high fashion, it can either be custom-made via haute couture or picked up in a store with ready-to-wear designs. Let’s check out their respective advantages and how they shape up to each other:
Cost
Haute couture is far more expensive than ready-to-wear, with prices easily reaching up to five figures. It is usually unattainable to most as it takes several thousand hours to create a couture piece. Meanwhile, ready-to-wear is more affordable and usually costs in the hundreds of dollars.
Convenience
Haute couture requires close collaboration between the customer and a skilled atelier, which requires multiple fittings and can take up to months. This makes it difficult to purchase haute couture, especially for customer who lives far away. Ready-to-wear solves this problem, allowing the customer to purchase clothes off-the-rack with usually minimal changes needed.
- Haute couture is expensive, requires extensive labor, and take time to compose.
- Ready-to-wear is more accessible and comes with more convenience.
The price tag and convenience of ready-to-wear designs make it more suitable for everyday wear, and the intricateand luxurious designs of haute couture make it an attractive choice for special occasions.
4. Where Do We Go From Here: The Impact of Technology on High Fashion
Technology is having an ever-increasing impact on high fashion, from the development of new materials to the way clothes are showcased around the world. From more sustainable production cycles to greater consumer accessibility, technology is rapidly evolving the industry.
One example of this is the advent of 3D printing. This technology is revolutionising the way clothes are designed and produced. It eliminates the time-consuming trial and error process associated with traditional garment construction, as well as reducing fabric waste. 3D printing also allows designers to experiment with out-there materials, resulting in pieces that would have been impossible to craft by hand.
High fashion is also finding a new audience wherever there’s a reliable internet connection thanks to e-commerce websites and platforms like Instagram. These online channels enable designers to create direct relationships with customers, providing an immediate way for people to shop and own the latest high fashion designs. This combined with the rise of social media influencers is helping to break down the exclusivity of the fashion industry.
The future of fashion technology looks even brighter, with clothing already beginning to incorporate integrated sensors and more sustainable materials. Wearable technology will shape the way we create and interact with fashion, allowing designers to continually challenge the status quo. In the years to come, fashion may look completely different from the way it does today.
5. Tips for Mixing High Fashion Pieces into Your Everyday Look
1. Incorporate Statement Pieces
Refrain from going overboard with trends and pieces in high fashion styles, as there can be a tendency to look ‘costume-y’. Instead choose one statement piece to enjoy the impact of a runway fashion. Pick an item such as a luxe bag with an interesting shape or material, a statement necklace or a blouse in a striking color or print.
2. Employ Contrasts Effectively
Elevate even the most basic of basics with minimal styling. For example, the sharp lines of a classic blazer contrast nicely with distressed denim, or a pair of sky-high patent pumps dress up faded boyfriend jeans. Put together items at complete odds to make a fashion statement without seeming too overdone.
3. Look for Quality Materials
High-quality fabrics and materials now come in more accessible price points. Look for investment-worthy pieces made from luxurious fabrics and hand-made details. Opt for cashmere blend cardigans for chilly nights or silk trousers. Investing in quality pieces means your wardrobe can continue to look stylish and elegant as time goes by.
4. Dress according to Occasion
Style is all about proportion and what is appropriate for the occasion. Shades of black are always appropriate for more formal occasions, and just adding a statement piece ups your style game easily. Alternatively, let loose on a night out with metallic accessories, cut-out detailing and sheer fabrics.
Boldly explore the world of high fashion with these few tips in mind and you’ll develop an impeccable personal style in no time.
Overall, it is quite clear to see how far fashion has come throughout its countless (yet all equally essential) revolutions — from Haute Couture’s meticulous craftsmanship, to Ready-to-Wear’s all-encompassing spirit. It is here, in the present, that we find ourselves in the midst of an ancestral dialogue that continues to inform the world’s fashionable discourse and push it to ever more exciting and ingenious new heights.
