Paris Couture's Continued Significance Highlighted as Pascal Morand Outlines Opening on Monday

The Paris haute couture season - the pinnacle of creative expression in the fashion industry - opens on Monday. Pascal Morand highlights its sustained relevance. The race to secure a spot on the official calendar is becoming increasingly competitive, with iconic fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, Armani, Schiaparelli, Fendi, and Valentino dominating the scene. This pinnacle event is a key aspect of the luxury industry worth hundreds of billions.

The calendar for the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode boasts 30 fashion houses. This French fashion authority regulates all six annual runway shows in Paris, including two each for couture, women's ready-to-wear, and menswear. Moreover, nearly as many houses host off-calendar shows in embassies and mansions, underscoring the vitality of couture - unique, custom-made designs for the world’s wealthiest women and most renowned movie stars.

The four-day fashion extravaganza will begin on Monday morning with Schiaparelli at the Petit Palais and conclude on Thursday evening with Maison Margiela, showcasing their Spring/Summer 2024 collections. With the Academy Awards just eight weeks away (on March 11), stylists and stars will flock to Paris to discover the finest red carpet looks from these collections.Editors are also excited to find out what newcomer Peet Dullaert brings to the runway on Thursday.

All eyes will be on the house of Jean-Paul Gaultier, known for its innovative policy of inviting a guest designer for each collection. This season, award-winning Irish designer Simone Rocha will make her Paris debut.

In light of these developments, we spoke with Pascal Morand, the Federation’s executive president, to gain insight into his expectations for the upcoming season. Morand expressed his anticipation for the noteworthy creativity, diversity and savoir-faire to be displayed during Haute Couture Week.

According to Morand, Paris offers a unique environment for such creative expression. This exceptional French tradition, embodied by numerous creative talents and maisons, enables France to uphold creativity, craftsmanship and innovation in the sector. He added that younger, tech-savvy designers are more attracted to haute couture because it symbolizes uniqueness and intimacy in an increasingly fast-paced society.

Morand highlighted Peet Dullaert as a noteworthy newcomer this season due to the exceptional quality of his work. The inclusion of Dullaert showcases the selection criteria for the Haute Couture Selection Committee, which balances creativity, technical innovation, and precise craftsmanship with limited availability.

In terms of economic and national relevance, the couture season is paramount, solidifying Paris as a global creativity hub. This dual impact enhances economic, artistic and savoir-faire excellence for France, capturing imaginations worldwide.

Addressing security concerns, Morand stated that they maintain close ties with the Préfecture de Police, ensuring secure and well-managed fashion events.