Christian Dior Spring 2014 Couture

To start this article I will give you a quick summary of what Haute Couture exactly is. Most people mistake it to be the very expensive, yet still commercial brands. The real meaning of Haute Couture couldn't be further away from that. Haute Couture is for a very VERY selected audience. From each design only a couple of pieces are made and are adapted to the potential buyer.

Clothes are only haute couture if they are handmade and with the demanded techniques. Only a handful of fashion houses can call themselves haute couturier, a title given by the " Chambre Syndicale de la Couture". A designer needs to fulfill the following conditions:

- Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.

- Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen staff members full-time.

- Must have twenty, full-time technical people in at least one workshop (atelier).

- Every season, present a collection of at least fifty original designs to the public, both day and evening 

   garments.

So knowing all this, you can only imagine that working for an haute couturier, or being one yourself, is the highest possible goal for a designer. Being a Belgian myself, I couldn't be more proud on Raf Simons working for Dior. I can't help but feeling like Dior is an it-brand since Simons became head designer. A lot of famous actresses such as Nathalie Portman and Jennifer Lawrence not only are seen in Dior's publicity campaigns but have been wearing Dior numerous times on the red carpet. 

Although Raf Simons ideas are obviously incorporated in this collection, he also wanted to honor the hard working people at the atelier who make this impossible collection possible. They put hundred hours of work into 3D floral sequins and organza. 

Raf Simons succeeded in making haute couture wearable for those who can actually afford it. On the other hand I'm sure that more than one actress will be wearing one of these designs. I would describe the collection as light and with lot of attitude. I want to share some of my favourite looks with you. What do you think?