Haute couture – can it save the world?
by ateliertammam
My mantra has always been “Saving the world – in style” and you don’t get more stylish than Haute couture.
Paris has just hosted another Couture Fashion Week where the cream of fashion is showcased for the unutterably rich and insanely fashionable to lust over.
Couture is about craftsmanship. The word “couture” is the french for “sewing”, “Seam” or “dressmaking” (so cakes that are called “couture” are linguistically incorrect – unless they are stitched) and “haute” means “high” – in Paris couture is the highest of the high, in fact The “Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture” is a very small strict club for fashion designers that it is almost impossible to become a member of.
The reason is simple, true couture has to adhere to the highest standards of craftsmanship, production methods and materials. A genuine couture garment is in itself a work of art. Almost impossible to replicate precisely due to the amount of hand work that has gone into making it and often taking weeks or even months to be made. An ideal option for a wedding dress, if you are looking for something really special.
Unfortunately there is a dark side of couture, which many followers seem to turn a blind eye to. It is well known that many of the couture houses are great friends with fur (companies). I once told a complaining fur business owner “how do you think the fox felt” at a very luxury event and got shot down immediately (thankfully not in the same way as the fox….), obviously there is a LOT of money to be made from animal skins, and although there are waves of fur being en vogue OR totally unacceptable, there are always going to be people who want it – despite the supermodels’ best efforts….
Here is the mini “Karlito” by Fendi in mink, silver fox and goat fur. Its a totally pointless, unattractive, strange little bag charm, which not only doesn’t have any real use, it is also ensuring the murder of innocent animals.
Quite strange, but then couture often is, even when its divinely beautiful and incredibly crafted.









[…] that cruelty free couture can be glorious too. See my couture week round – up of the best gowns on the catwalk in Paris this […]
Love your work and your blog. Am new to you and your humour and think you are very inspiring.
Who says vegetarian vegan has to be dowdy?
Thank you! x
Thank you Heyscarlett, indeed, let’s prove to the world that vegans are glamourous too!
I am with you ladies.I don’t have to use fur in order to look good,modern and pretty.Actually wearing,using,eating animals parts is supporting, promoting and encouraging violence towards animals,deforestation,wild life extinction,hunger,diseases and pollution….So making people believe that that they will look better if wear fur,leather or other animal products is absolute crime.Thank you for doing what is right and best for all of us.