Couture in the shop
Haute couture has always been a mystery to most people. With fantastical clothing that is usually deemed to be unwearable — and sky-high price tags to match — such a sense of the unreachable builds allure and buzz needed for a brand, even as it may alienate regular folk.
The English ringmaster of the exquisite art form, John Galliano of the Christian Dior label, is giving anyone with a bit of curiosity a chance to see for themselves what Dior's couture is all about in a 23-piece exhibit at their flagship store in Tokyo's Omotesando district. Running through Dec. 26, the event is twofold: it celebrates Christian Dior's 60th anniversary as a fashion house and Galliano's 10th year at the helm.
The exhibition presents the critically acclaimed 2007 Spring/Summer Japan-inspired collection, that's aptly titled "Japonism," in which Galliano uses a plethora of Japanese craft techniques to produce unusual dresses. Hand-painted
ukiyo-e (genre painting) scenes grace oversize ball gowns while bamboo and
ikebana flower arrangements decorate larger-than-life head pieces, and giant origami lilies and cranes form the bodices, jackets and skirts of the best pieces.
While Japanese-inspired Western ideas of dress are nothing new, Galliano's brilliance dreams up pieces that demand appreciation for both the hundreds of man-hours put into each one and the thousands of sequins employed in their dazzling designs. As if Pavarotti were giving a complimentary street performance, this opportunity to see haute couture up close is an experience not to be missed.
(Misha Janette)
5-9-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; (03) 5464-6220; free
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