Dior Couture Look No 33
It’s probably not going to come as a huge surprise to anyone that I like haute couture. It’s always been the case and now I think it’s officially my favourite show time in the fashion calendar: I used to prefer autumn/winter collections that tend to have the most interesting clothes, but the fashion weeks have grown so big that they overwhelm rather than excite me. Couture is small and contained and often delightful.
Raf Simons has been at Dior for several years now, steering the French mother ship of fashion, including its couture efforts. I absolutely loved the work he did at Jil Sander – his 2009 spring collection made me like fringe, something I used to loathe before; in 2011, he made me blatantly copy (a practice I don’t approve of) the t-shirt and ball skirt look and his swan song for Sander was simply sublime. I am not sure he is at ease at Dior, somehow his creations for the house do not convince me. He has modernized the brand, that is true, but the shows don’t really work conceptually and often, the clothes fit badly – a mortal sin in couture, if you ask me.
Many individual pieces are gorgeous, however, and this red coat from the 2015 couture show is a case in point. It’s not going to be featured in millions of editorials, but I love the colour, the styling, the ease of the shape and the statement sleeve. This look also features one of my favourite colour combinations of the moment: a true red with a more muted blue. I generally prefer a paler blue, almost a baby blue with red, but this slightly darker hue works very well, too.
I of course cannot afford the coat or the trousers and if you’re reading this, you probably cannot either. But I find couture often a more useful source of inspiration than ready-to-wear, especially when you’re considering a bigger buy – an evening dress, a great suit, and yes, a coat. These things need to make a statement and work over several seasons, and this is what couture does better than other types of fashion. And while opportunities for wearing a Giambattista Valli-style gown may be limited, anyone can do a red coat with blue trousers.
The image is stolen from style.com.
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I enjoy haute couture as well. The attention to detail, the sumptuous fabrics, the artistry and vision of the designer are all inspiring.
This is a great color combo, and the coat is gorgeous. I know for a fact that the sleeves would drive me nuts. I had a coat with similar statement sleeves at one time, and the large opening at the bottom did not work for winter. Perhaps this design would suit spring or fall, where long sleeves underneath aren’t necessary as they are in winter. I did try a variety of long gloves underneath, but I felt they ruined the look. Ultimately I gave up as you know me! …I have to be comfortable above all else. 😉
Indeed, I don’t think this particular coat would work as a practical solution for winter. Not only because of the sleeves – I’m not really sure it has any sort of closures in front. And while I’m all for statement coats, statement dresses, statement anything, if it doesn’t work in reality, with your lifestyle, it’s useless. But a variation of this coat could be entirely wearable even in a cold climate, I think.
Aw hell, I just avoided the subject of closures. I figured with my sleeve comments I’d said enough. The “variation” is always good. 🙂 I have a Jil Sander coat with sleeves that are obviously meant to be a statement but in reality are just too long. I don’t wear it for that reason. Ultimately, my fussing and fidgeting detracts from the designer’s goal and my own.
I lost conciousness right after the words “Jil Sander coat”.
Perhaps you will be revived by knowing that it was a find in a New York suburban store that offers discounted designer clothes at low prices. I got lucky, and I also had the interest and stamina that particular day.