My mantra has always been “Saving the world – in style” and you don’t get more stylish than Haute couture.
Paris has just hosted another Couture Fashion Week where the cream of fashion is showcased for the unutterably rich and insanely fashionable to lust over.
Couture is about craftsmanship. The word “couture” is the french for “sewing”, “seam” or “dressmaking” and “haute” means “high”. In Paris couture is the highest of the high.
The reason is simple, true couture has to adhere to the highest standards of craftsmanship, production methods and materials. A genuine couture garment is in itself a work of art. Almost impossible to replicate precisely due to the amount of hand work that has gone into making it and often taking weeks or even months to be made. An ideal option for a wedding dress, if you are looking for something really special.
Unfortunately there is a dark side of couture, which many followers seem to turn a blind eye to. It is well known that many of the couture houses are great friends with fur (companies) and although there are waves of fur being en vogue OR totally unacceptable, there are always going to be people who want it – despite the supermodels’ best efforts….
Here is the mini “Karlito” by Fendi in mink, silver fox and goat fur. Its a totally pointless, unattractive, strange little bag charm, which not only doesn’t have any real use, it is also ensuring the murder of innocent animals.
Of course at Atelier Tammam you can rest assured that we won’t be using any dead animals, in fact we are an entirely vegan company with the exception of our peace silks, which come from empty cocoons, ensuring the moth is allowed to fly away (rather than getting boiled alive like in conventional silk production) and occasionally some vintage silks, if we are given them. We have never used any furs or leathers in our collections and have spent years developing alternatives to traditional animal fibre materials for our creations. We work to haute couture standards, using traditional craftsmanship, many skilled hands (always fair trade, often in India or Nepal to support communities there as well as in our London atelier) and the most luxurious of materials – all sustainably sourced.
Proof that cruelty free couture can be glorious too.
See my couture week round – up of the best gowns on the catwalk in Paris this season.
Yours in Haute Couture
Mme Tammam