What’s the Point of Couture?
The Cut • • entertainment
Key Points:
- In July 2021, Demna revived Balenciaga couture in the historic salons at 10 Avenue Georges V, blending contemporary design with Cristobal Balenciaga's legacy and restoring the space's intimate atmosphere.
- Pier Paolo Piccioli's recent debut for Balenciaga couture was criticized for lacking purpose and originality, relying on dramatic but impractical designs that felt disconnected from Cristobal Balenciaga's principles and modern relevance.
- Duran Lantink’s Jean Paul Gaultier couture debut showcased imaginative and ambitious designs combining technology and handcraft, though the collection left questions about the deeper meaning and purpose of couture for him.
- Silvana Armani’s Armani Privé collection featured tailored, smoky-hued looks that felt restrained and overly cautious in trying to appear modern, missing the fluidity and confidence traditionally associated with Armani.
