Over the Top Fashion Shows

What’s the deal with these crazy fashion shows?  I mean they are amazing to watch and ‘o so much fun’ but who can wear that stuff in reality?

Well, those types of shows are based around Haute Couture, and the intent is to set the tone for the fashion lines for the season.  The normal shows that display what goes on the shelves at retail stores and on the internet are showing Pret a Porter designs, or ready to wear.  For a full understanding of the two check our related article Haute Couture vs. Pret a Porter which expresses in detail these two styles.

What’s more fun, going to a car show and seeing the new four door sedan that’s out or the flying concept car?  Well, perhaps neither, but that’s the best analogy we can give.  Of course in the Fashion Industry it is important re-sellers and buyers to see normal pieces that they will order and eventually hand over to their customers.

So what is the point of these Over the Top or even Way Over the Top Fashion Shows?  Well for one, they are sooooo much fun!  The general point is to show what the designer or design house has in store in for the season or year.   It allows them to create works of art that will be displayed and reflected in their ready to wear pieces.  It also gives them an opportunity to showcase their vision and perhaps a few pieces that they know someone may actually pick up on!

In general, these shows set the ‘tone’ for the season and retailers watch them to understand what to expect for the Pret a Port designs to come.  Everything from style of clothing to what color will be hot is expressed through these artistic events.  As well, you must keep in mind that most of the large designers and design houses make small profits from their actual clothing, most income for these giants comes from fragrances, accessories and alternate items (think airplane interiors and the such, we’re not kidding check into it…)

So in short is anyone actually expected to wear any of these flamboyant outfits, no they aren’t, aside from very very special occasions such as runway shows!  In which pieces are even altered last second to models form if needed!  But they do set the theme, under and over tones for the season.  And aside from being a venue to showcase the sheer artistic talent of the designers, did we mention they are sooooo much fun????

Haute Couture vs. Pret a Porter

Haute Couture and Pret a Porter, what’s the difference?  By definition Haute Couture means High Fashion and Pret a Porter means ready to wear.  So, again, what’s the difference?

Well, in the Fashion Industry in general Haute Couture is meant to be a concept of what’s to come, specifically from a designer.  In much the way that the auto industry makes concept cars and the housing market makes model homes.  In general the end product is very different and low key in comparison the concept.  Haute Couture generally involves the best designers and creators in the industry and to create a single piece takes several persons working together at long extended periods of time from design to completion, and they are generally made by hand to boot!  These items are crafted to show case the vision for the season from the designer and to express themes and colors.

Haute Couture in concerns to runway shows is generally very flamboyant and extravagant, and generally would not be possible to wear for normal folks.  I mean could you imagine someone actually walking through time square with real chain mail as leggings and peacock feathers sticking from their over sized hat?  Wait, don’t answer that right now!  Now don’t get us wrong, that doesn’t mean people don’t wear Haute Couture aside from just on the runway.  There are plenty of celebrities and persons of interest that do wear Haute Couture,  but general for Red Capet events.  As well, if someone has a piece especially designed and crafted for them, in general it may be considered Haute Couture.

In reference to Haute Couture made to suit so to speak, the designer may work for months on a single piece, it is made to fit the specific wearer and may take up to 5 or more seamstress and sewers to create.  Think lots of glitz and glamour and hand adjustments. An gown can cost more than 50,000 dollars and a tailored suit not less than 20,000 dollars (yes USD).  In general most of the clients are celebrities or royal family members.  Most celebrities and royalty negotiate with designers to ‘barter’ brand recognition for these pieces.  It is estimated that at any given time on the planet there are less than 500 people alive that actually do or can pay for select Haute Couture individual pieces.

So, if you have a hand sewn wedding dress made and it takes six months, has Swarovski stones and elements on it and there were ten seamstresses working around the clock on to make it specifically to your body, does that mean you have a Haute Couture piece?  Sorry, NO it doesn’t!

Not every fashion designer can produce a couture collection. Designers must receive a special permission from the Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture based in Paris. According to the agreement, designers have to show their collections two times a year with no less than 35 outfits in one collection.  Being a member of this elite group of designers of course has it’s benefits, such as being the most desirable on the planet!

Pret a Porter consists of what is actually going onto the shelves at retail locations in general.  There are several shows that consist of Pret a Porter designs as well, but to be honest, who wants to watch that.  I mean do you want to watch the show with the cotton stockings and denim shirts or the flamings hairbands and 10 inch stilettos?  Of course for the buyers and retailers of the world, the more particle are the Pret a Porter shows, so they know what they want to buy and put in their stores.

In general, but of course not always, the Haute Couture sets the tone for what the Pret a Porter shows will reflect and the wearable designs will be.  Most Houte Couture Designers also produce Pret a Porter lines as well.

(P.S. just a side note, Juicy Couture and other Pret a Porter designers that throw Couture into their names are not really Couture Designers!  But the word Couture makes it sound so cool!)