25 November 2011

Into a world of magic

The world of the fabled ateliers behind the Paris haute couture. Just for one day I would like to observe the scissors, thread, needle and thimbles at work, every hand-made detail, every luxurious touch that goes into the wearable sculpture that is a couture creation and that can require hundreds of hours of work. The skills of the tailors, flou dressmakers and seamstresses, and also of all the non-in-house specialists, like the artisans in embroidery, lace, millinery, glove-making and feathers, all these experts that have perfect knowledge of their craftsmanship, a synthesis of many years of experience and a passion for this work of exception. The real haute couture makers, they who can interpret a designer’s vision with a wizardry precision and bring his/her fantasy to life.

Whatever your plans are, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

photos: the Givenchy headquarters in Paris, opened for public for 2 days last month as part of “Les Journées Particulières” event organised by LVMH; via The Dolls Factory

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19 Responses to Into a world of magic

  1. Nicole wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 11:14 am

    Loved their SS 2012 collection! This is amazing Ada 🙂 Behind The Scenes pictures are always exciting xxxx

  2. Lana wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 11:35 am

    Absolutely! I’d love to take a peak into their world too! Have a happy weekend x

  3. odessa wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Love Givenchy and these pictures! I love watching documentaries that give you a peek inside the worlds of fashion houses. Enjoy the weekend! xoxo

  4. Rachel {Little Bits of Lovely} wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Wouldn’t it be incredible to have a glimpse into this world? All of these images capture a small insight into the workings, but what I would give to visit a real couture house. Have a wonderful weekend Ada xx

  5. LatteLisa wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 12:36 pm

    love these behind the scene photos … thanks for sharing and have a beautiful weekend 😉

  6. Helen @ TheStyleSchedule wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 12:45 pm

    That would be a perfect Christmas gift for me; how special to visit behind the scenes! I watched a documentary series recently with insights behind scenes of fashion houses 24 hours before a show – the one that resonated was Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi. Just brilliant to see the Italian expert seamstresses sewing garments by hand on the eve of the show! Have a good weekend.
    Helen:)
    PS: Tom Ford’s range was Spanish and New Mexico inspired, as he and his partner have a ranch in New Mexico. That blouse was gorgeous.

  7. Claire wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 1:41 pm

    Can you imagine – i would love to just see the process – fashion in its true art form xx

    https://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/

  8. MM wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 3:00 pm

    Lovely post and pictures!!
    Have a wonderful weekend, sweetie!

    xoxoxo

  9. Priscilla Joy wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 4:48 pm

    Ada, totally love this post.

    Have a great weekend.
    xx

  10. la Vinia wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 5:29 pm

    That’s impressive! I love the latest Givenchy couture collections, with all those embroideries and fringes…I would gladly take a closer look!
    Have a nice week-end, too!

  11. fashionsensitive wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 5:58 pm

    Not just take a peak or visit, but work there! I know, I know, we can not imagine how much work and effort is put together to achieve such amazing results, but I could try! This is the dream of my life! Thank you, Ada!

  12. Katie*Belle wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 6:14 pm

    These photographs are incredible. I’d love to observe for a day too!

  13. mary jo wrote on
    --> 25 November 2011 at 8:46 pm

    Ada, I am obsessed with what goes on behind the doors and could not believe that I got a chance to see those documentaries on Chanel–I drowned in the beauty and it truly is a religion to work there, it was so moving to see the women who had given their whole lives to working for Chanel and I’m sure it’s like that at many of the haute couture houses. The stories my old patternmaker told me about the competition between the ladies–one who could make sleeves better than anyone, etc. always enthrall me as well. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    xo Mary Jo

    • classiq wrote on
      --> 25 November 2011 at 9:07 pm

      I could listen to stories like the ones told by your patternmaker for days, Mary Jo. It would be fascinating to see the entire process that leads to a masterpiece.

  14. Not Just A Pretty Dress wrote on
    --> 26 November 2011 at 12:41 am

    It would be a dream to follow the entire process of creation and realisation of these beautiful dresses! Being the silent observer surrounded by all this beauty…So happy that they are making all the movies on designers showing the ‘behind-the-scene’ process…Have a great w-e too Ada! PS: just mentioned your ‘expertise’ in my last post…hope you’ll like it!

  15. Kellie Collis wrote on
    --> 26 November 2011 at 9:44 am

    How fabulous! It must be glamorous to be actually standing in that room. Have a gorgeous weekend, Kellie xx

  16. Lee Oliveira wrote on
    --> 26 November 2011 at 2:55 pm

    I guess walking into Givenchy HQ is very close to heaven
    Lee

  17. Alina wrote on
    --> 28 November 2011 at 2:37 am

    Wow…superb, de vis…speechless!

  18. maria wrote on
    --> 28 November 2011 at 1:12 pm

    Aaaaaaah, I’m in HEAVEN!!!