HAUTE COUTURE ‘23

Each hand-crafted piece represents a character, a dream and a story of the power of beauty.

Welcome to our world of art, elegance and magic.

**THE MOURNING DRESS**
Dramatic tea length black ball gown with corseted construction covered in pure silk velvet and tightly gathered, generously layered mesh skirting. The dress is embellished with beautifully contrasting pearl and crystal embroidery designed to mimic the opulence of the royal European jewellery of the sixteenth century. Degas’ iconic ballerina paintings inspired this romantic silhouette.

**THE ANATOMY DRESS**
This dress is constructed by basket-weaving burgundy and red silk chiffon over a boned mesh bodice. Layers and strips of ruffled, torn and frayed silk chiffon run together to create ruffled ombre effect in the skirt. The skeletal embroidery, created from ombre-positioned round and baguette crystals and silk chiffon edging, represents the miraculous beauty of human anatomy, celebrating the body in silk and jewellery-inspired design

**THE BEE FAIRY DRESS**
This dress contains hundreds of bees on and within its tulle and mesh layers, giving the impression that a swarm is engulfing the wearer. The bees are hand embroidered and individually cut and sewn at the hipline and all over the bodice. They start as realistic depictions in black and gold, then change to gold, silver and crystal versions which fly and crawl into formation around the neck, much like a jeweled Elizabethan collar. The hexagonal baguette crystal embroidery on the yoke and sleeves is inspired by beeswax and chainmail, symbolising the strength of women. The skirt is made up of dozens of metres of various types of mesh and tulle in shades of ivory, cream, grey and nude. Each layer has been hand-shredded and pulled, creating a foam-like texture.

**THE RESURRECTION DRESS**
This statement gown is made of tulle and silk chiffon layers to create a luminescent, ethereal presentation and flowing movement. This stunning piece is adorned in hand-embroidered gold and rose-gold metal thread ivy, a leaf which symbolizes eternity. Crystal droplets fall from the leaves, a sign of winter melting into spring, and the leaves themselves range in color from cool purples, deep greens and blues to blood red and pale lime representing the various seasons of life. The vein-like vines weave through clouds of silk thread embroidered forget-me-knots and sequin snowflakes.

**THE LIGHT GODDESS**
This opulent ball gown works as a wedding dress as well as a statement evening dress. The corseted bodice is encrusted with crystals and layered silver sequins and threadwork. Two kinds of hand-beaded floral French lace - one silver thread and sequins, the other gold, copper and silver thread and bugle beads – are hand-cut, pinned, and sewn to create a glistening moss-like effect. Gold satin beneath silver and gold sequin mesh make up the base and top layers of this magnificent showpiece representing hundreds of working hours.

**THE SHADOW ENSEMBLE**
Two pieces come together to create this bold femme fatale ensemble: 1.) a cropped one-shoulder smooth lamb leather bustier bra top with Chantilly lace gloved sleeve and feather-light silk chiffon cape, and 2.) a high-waisted smooth lamb leather pencil skirt with boning and Chantilly lace with nude silk organza backing. A Chantilly lace glove with tiny beaded lace appliques and nude horsehair backing finishes the look.

**THE PEACE DRESS**
Both regal and otherworldly, this sleeveless full-length mermaid beaded mesh dress is encrusted with pale pink bugle beads, pink pearls and glittering floral crystal clusters. The accompanying cape engulfs the wearer in flowing layers and painterly light. The cape is constructed from thirty-five metres of gossamer silk organza defined by a reinforced hem, delicate hand-beaded lace on a pink satin collar and features elbow-length balloon sleeves.

HAUTE COUTURE EDITORIAL GALLERY

Haute couture is more than the sum of its parts: the theme, vision and narrative come alive through the collaborative creativity and dedication of all those involved. We are pleased to present this showcase to you.

SHOOT LOCATIONS:

Hampstead Heath, London

The Hurlingham Club, London