How do a lot of designers end up designing clothes with
similar trends each season? Are they imitating someone
or is it just instinct?
Who is Elie Tahari?
Who was Madame Gres?
Madame Gres was haute couture's sphinx, an austere and
dignified person who dedicated her whole life to perfecting
the art of draping and pleating vast amounts of cloth
into a single gown. She defied the vulgarity of fashion
and hated the glare of publicity. She was a genius who
was admired by everyone in the fashion industry but died
in obscurity and poverty.
In 1934, she opened her own house under the name of Alix
Barton, and her gowns started to appear in fashion magazines
under the name ALIX. She started experimenting with simple
clothing, particularly jersey day dresses. Initially she
was in partnership, and she decided to leave Alix, as
the name belonged to someone else.
During the 30's, the Alix gowns were greatly admired.
Her training in sculpture enabled her to capture the classical
Greek style and timeless elegance in her evening gowns.
Hers was an individual uncompromising style which seemed
to have a liquid effect on the drapery and turned fashionable
women into living statues.
Who is Arnold Scaasi?
Arnold Scaasi is the last of New York's custom designers.
Others make clothes to order but Scassi designs an original
couture collection twice a year which he presents to clients
and the fashion press in the tradition of the great Parisian
couture houses. More importantly, he is a true couturier
in that he realises couture is not meant to dress everyone.
He tempts and titillates wealthy women with all the luxurious
materials available and in doing os is one of these people
responsible for keeping all the artistry of high fashion
alive. Even his name reflects his commitment to glamour
- he reversed the spelling of the original Isaacs to capture
the more exotic sound so in keeping with his clothes.
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