Papier Couture

Karl Lagerfeld wiped his slate for his spring 09 Haute Couture collection and opted to start with "a clean sheet of paper." In the end, paper was the star of the show and white was the colour of the day. Models wore intricate, cut-out flower headpieces (credit goes to Lagerfeld find Kamo - a Japanese hairdresser whose scissors work magic on paper as well as hair), and even the room was adorned - there were laser-cut paper roses and camellias on the pillars, tables and the staircase the models used to make their entrance.

I read that paper is actually woven into the fabric of the dresses and when Lagerfeld was asked if they could be drycleaned he replied "I'm afraid not." Now I can't find the source to review it, no matter how many ways I've Googled it. But I'm sure I didn't imagine it. That would be a very specific delusion and not even I am that mad.

Either way, the dress above and to the right looks to me as if it is made of paper - the very pulpy, thick and textured kind which names escapes me - which appears to be molded. The stiffness of it also reminds me of a fine papier mâché. The sharp cut of the V detail on the neckline working with the sculpted inverted V of the skirt is the clincher for me, it's by far my favourite of the 65-piece collection.

The fashion editors are calling this the best case going forward for the survival of haute couture. Imagine fashion without this? Imagine fashion without Karl Lagerfeld? Happy place. Happy place.

Comments

[Tammy]

The flower headpieces are gorgeous! we need more excuses to wear them.