FASHION BY THE RULES – The Next Generation of Haute Couture

Three designers who seem to share a common design ethic which is simple shapes, 2 of the 3 seem to think less is more and the third has decided to embellish his basic shapes. The haute couture is known for embellishment and decoration and the extremes of designing where cost is never considered. Why have they chosen to show during the haute couture and not the ready to wear schedule? Is this the future of the haute couture?

Bouchra Jarrar opts for the slickest and cleanest of silhouettes and is embellishment free except or the graphic touches. The clothes look razor sharp and basically ageless except I would love to know who will pay “couture prices” for these looks. Personally, I do like them for all of the above reasons but I hardly think they are couture worthy.

Anne Valerie Hash shows around 15 pieces and once again I am compelled to ask why and yet I know she has a following but I would just love to be able to ask these women. Why? The clothes are definitely discreet and unassuming yet there is a bit of a more “artsy” take with the draping but what’s the purpose of wearing or buying these frocks?

Lastly is the very puzzling Maxime Simoens who has a decidedly graphic approach for his collection. Graphic in the geometric sense and yet the clothes seem almost boring even with the symmetrical geometry that he employs. Once again, I am forced to ask myself, why? What possesses this young man to present a made to measure collection that is so non-descript and certainly not earth-shattering.

Could it be that I am ignorant enough to think that there are no customers for these collections or is it sheer hubris to show during the Haute Couture?
Comments are welcome, enlighten me, agree or disagree with me .