Blanc Noir & Couture: Issue No.9

OVER TWENTY YEARS LATER IN 1947 WHEN FRANCE’S ECONOMY AND APPAREL INDUSTRY
RESURGED FOLLOWING THE WAR, “THE NEW LOOK” CAME ALONG Á LA CHRISTIAN DIOR AND
THIS NEW LOOK INDEED KEPT THE LUXURY AND ARTISTRY CHARLES FREDRICK WORTH BE-
GAN, YET TOOK A MORE MODERN, SLEEK AND ELEGANT TAKE WITH CINCHED WAISTS AND
FULL MIDI SKIRTS.
and womenswear changed dramatically
and the severe departure from
the once elaborate dressing transformed
into functionality for so many,
although haute couture continued to
maintain a presence in the industry.
Over twenty years later in 1947 when
France’s economy and apparel industry
resurged following the war, “The
New Look” came along á la Christian
Dior and this new look indeed kept
the luxury and artistry Charles Fredrick
Worth began, yet took a more
modern, sleek and elegant take with
cinched waists and full midi skirts.
This new look laid the foundation
for the new wave of couture designers
including Yves Saint Laurent,
who opened the first free-standing
couture boutique in 1966 and was
followed by designers royalty such as
Emanuel Ungaro, Pierre Cardin, Andre
Courreges and Ted Lapidus.
in 1970 from 106 in 1946 to just 19
for many cultural and economical
reasons that continually plague the
realm of couture today. Only twelve
haute couture designers currently
show today during Paris Fashion
Week including powerhouses Chanel,
Balmain and of course, in a new adaptation
of the “new look,” Dior.
The re-interpretations and revivals of
the haute couture industry continually
alter and advance as generations
pass, but the spirit of luxe and the
level of creativity that began with the
first couture design seem to remain
stable through these changes. It will
be interesting to see the development
of the genre in this wave of
technology and the fusion of it and
fashion, as there is a wealth of opportunity
for the fusion of the tech and
couture worlds.
Although this new look was a new adaptation
of Haute Couture, the number
of actual couture houses dropped
Blanc Noir & Couture | Fashion Xchange Magazine | 75