Haute Couture Clients 2008

[LUXXX]

Originally Posted by baddabling

there is a whole process...
in order to even have access to the opportunity to go to the shows, let alone buy them, you must be approved by the Federation Francaise de la Couture. Like Meg has said, in order to get in you need to be invited by an existing member or inherit membership from a deceased member.

wow, thanks for answering...it's amazing they buy it. I know celebs just get them on loan for events...but it must be amazing to be invited in if you can afford.

Although it seems like a lot more noveau riche Russians and Saudis are making it in now...so perhaps since business was down not too long ago the rules aren't so strict anymore? I remember a point when there was barely any couture shows happening a few years back......people were blaming bad business...

[baddabling]

LUXXX, you have a good point. just the sheer cost of creating these dresses, plus hosting the shows, costs the Houses thousands. And they are betting on all of the creations to be sold. No wonder they are becoming much more pedestrian (well, for HC )

[ysljunkie]

All I know is these ladies better buy ! buy plenty

[UNiQFashionista]

im just laughing at when they said "saudi oil sheikh buying 8 dresses for 8 wives"..i ahte when the write sh*t like that, first, the term sheikh doesnt really exist in saudi, maybe other gulf countries, 2nd, there is not one saudi man who has 8 wives- thats just not true and ridiculous..- and men never buy their wives dresses anyway... all women i know who buy HC are powerfull independant women in saudi arabia- who pay for the dresses themselves...
anyway, i know that alot of women from saudi who buy HC never attend shows- they get CDs and a look books- and sometimes private viewings- but they still insist on sending gorgeous invites~!!

[ysljunkie]

Great article too. I now completly get why the the ladies of the Middle east dont wan to go to the big shows.

[UNiQFashionista]

a big issue for us from the ME is that we dont want our pictures taken-
even I, whenever I go to anyshow, esp if im sitting front row, I have to make sure that photogs dont take any pics...its a cultural thing!

[adorefaith]

Originally Posted by adorefaith

thanks very much for the articles mullet
. . it answered a lot of the questions i had !

. . i'm sorry MMA . . of course i meant to write MMA and not mullet
my apologies !

UNIQ . . men never buy their wives dresses ?
do you mean the men aren't the ones there choosing the outfits, or that the women aren't using their money ? i can't imagine that in all cases the women are using their 'own' money (and i use that term for lack of a better one)

[Spiral1532]

Originally Posted by MissMagAddict

But despite the growing number of clients at several of the couture houses, it is widely believed that the couture label with the most customers is neither Chanel, Valentino, or Dior for that matter, but the lesser-known Lebanese designer Elie Saab, whose front row is usually packed with glamorous Saudi princesses.

*finger snap*

[LUXXX]

Originally Posted by UNiQFashionista

im just laughing at when they said "saudi oil sheikh buying 8 dresses for 8 wives"..i ahte when the write sh*t like that, first, the term sheikh doesnt really exist in saudi, maybe other gulf countries, 2nd, there is not one saudi man who has 8 wives- thats just not true and ridiculous..- and men never buy their wives dresses anyway... all women i know who buy HC are powerfull independant women in saudi arabia- who pay for the dresses themselves...
anyway, i know that alot of women from saudi who buy HC never attend shows- they get CDs and a look books- and sometimes private viewings- but they still insist on sending gorgeous invites~!!

That's interesting...

It seems like Russian women are really on the come up in this arena. I've been reading a lot more articles on their spending habits and how Moscow has become such a hot destination for designers to open stores. It's pretty fascinating to see the rise of these women, although most seem to be moving to London.

[eternitygoddess]

^Wait............you have to get 'approval' to buy them? Jeez, and we think couture is a 'dying' industry.

17-year-old daughter of a Russian millionaire - ordered seven bespoke Dior outfits.

Lucky girl.

How rich are these people? I've never seen the world's wealthiest (Ex: Bill Gates's wife) buying couture.

I hope the customers have the decency to treat these outfits properly.

[SomethingElse]

Originally Posted by twin star

there is also something so tongue wagging about a man/husband crying after receiving his credit card statement.

[Uchina]

Hey, don't judge! I think you guys are just jealous. It's not like they're spending money on something silly like diamond encrusted toilets. This is the "Art" of the fashion world, so to speak, and these are the patrons.

[UNiQFashionista]

adore- I mean in arab culture- fashion is left to women- either they buy it from the money they earned "for the working women" or their husband's money, fashion, couture or not, in the middle east, is left to the women, men buy jewelery- but fashion, even if its $100,000 dress- is left to the females.

Its true about elie saab, I really dont consider him HC- I myself have had a dress made for me by him- and the quality is horrible- the only reason i picked him was because i couldnt find anything i like din RTW, and his prices are rather cheap (for HC)- but I think he's a horrible designer and his materials look good- but they are cheap- so alot of people can afford him- and most of his designs are tacky- and we have alot of tacky people in the middle east- alot.

anyway, I remember talking to someone who works for valentino saying- the russians are the new arabs!

[ettebe]

If a list of the HC clients got out, many people would probably lose their head. Best bet is, anyone that comes from a family of billionaires, royals and what not would probably be on the list.

[MissMagAddict]

Originally Posted by eternitygoddess

I've never seen the world's wealthiest (Ex: Bill Gates's wife) buying couture.

Melinda Gate's wouldn't buy or wear couture...it's just not her style at all & I don't mean that as a slap...it's just not what's she's about...She's very understated in her style & attitude.