What is haute couture? What is prêt-a-porter? What is a licensed copy? What is a knock-off? Vancouver costumer Patrice Godin answered these questions during a presentation exploring the aesthetics and techniques of fit and construction that define haute couture sewing.
Slides and garments from the collection of the Original Costume Museum Society, Ivan Sayers, Claus Jahnke, and others illustrated this talk about the finest clothing made in the twentieth century.
One of the models, Mary Lou, modeled an evening dress, adorned by a gorgeous feather display constructed into a distinctive hat. Claus Jahke, collector of fine vintage garments, describes the provenance of this hat as follows:
" What a fantastic photo of Mary-Lou in the cocktail hat !
The hat is from the Salon of FRIEDL Stauber-Stendel MUENCHEN / MUNICH. Her millinery is of the Couture Genre and this creation from the 50's is a wonderful example of the post- war Wirtschafts Wunder/economic miracle of Germany and Europe."
Special Event guest, Constance de Grandmaison, former house model for Chanel, was also present.
A near-full audience came to learn valuable hints that can be incorporated into your own fashion world.