The Couture Commitment

Fashion can move me, but couture demands respect.

Haute couture reminds me what commitment to the vision truly means, and serves as a gentle reminder that the process isn’t always as beautiful as the outcome. It’s precision paired with whimsicality to evoke emotion. Those same themes inform my own process for designing floral fashion and creating botanical couture. When the vision appears or the sketch is complete, it’s about bringing it to fruition. I never take the time to assess how long it will take or how tedious it may be. While those elements may be important to some, the image in my mind’s eye remaining a figment of my imagination is simply not an option.

Lately, I’ve been sitting with the thought that inspiration points are mirrors. The artists you admire and the things you’re drawn to always reflect something about yourself. What does my couture inspiration say about me?

Schiaparelli

Vibrant color. Shapes inspired by the human form. Bold silhouettes. An unforgettable, strong point of view is a Schiaparelli staple. The brand’s current creative director is Daniel Roseberry.

His vision for Doja Cat in Schiaparelli broke the internet. The crimson-coated look containing 30,000 hand-applied Swarovski crystals was perfectly executed, and a look tailored to the artistic gaze.

Although, the pieces I love most are the gilded accessories. The paradox between luxurious golden, gaudy wearables that are formed after natural, organic forms.

Guo Pei

My introduction to Guo Pei was Rihanna’s 2015 Met Gala look. It was a showstopper that screamed luxury, sophistication and intentionality.

My visit to the De Young museum to see Guo Pei’s exhibit deepened my appreciation for her design approach, aesthetic and work ethic. I was blown away by the attention to detail and time spent crafting pieces. 80,000 hours on any single task is unimaginable. It was deeper than that though. Each piece made you feel something.

Floating hemlines. Embellished underskirts. Stitched and embroidered scenes within intricate silhouettes. No matter what the theme was, the thread of continuity was impeccable craftsmanship and a cohesive vision.

Iris Van Herpen

The queen of whimsical, ethereal avant-garde fashion from the silhouettes to the creative direction. She weaves together artisanal practices like hand painting with modern technologies such as 3D printing. Editorial shoots have taken place underwater and mid sky dive.

Think of your life as your greatest couture work - carefully curating resources, intricately piecing things together and collaborating with other artists to fully realize what you see within. What will you add or trim to complete the vision?