You can’t beat a bit of Haute Couture gazing for the ultimate in window shopping. I know I will probably never be able to afford any of it but that doesn’t stop me looking. I love the attention to detail on the couture clothes and the often extravagant designs. Christian Lacroix is probably the king of extravagance when it comes to Haute Couture clothes and his Autumn / Winter collection was no exception.The collection most certainly had military and historical references with leg of mutton sleeves and jackets encrusted with jewels. Frilly skirts complemented corseted bodies and the look completed with spiky top knotted hair and lace veils across the eyes. The details were as usual fabulous and a quick glance at these clothes was just not enough to discover everything they had to offer. As usual the collection was a fiesta of colour texture and pattern. 

Pictures from Style.com

Haute Couture is the ultimate in sartorial luxury. The most expensive and exclusive clothing available. Most of us mere mortals will never get to wear Haute Couture clothes. ’Haute Couture’ means high cut or tailored and describes made to measure clothes. In order to use the Haute Couture label, a fashion house  must have at least 20 staff on the premises and show at least 50 garments consisting of day and evening wear twice per year. Haute Couture  clothes are painstakingly hand crafted by highly skilled couturiers ensuring that the client gets a one off piece beautifully made of the highest quality fabrics. 

The Haute Couture fashion shows are lavish affairs with outrageously flamboyant clothes.  The fashion houses spend millions on them, but Haute Couture usually only makes up a small percentage of their sales. So what is the point of Haute Couture? For most of us it something to dream about. For the fashion houses, it is an advert for the clothes, giving the brand an exclusive and luxurious feel. One of my favourite couture collections for Spring/ Summer 08 is Christian Dior, purely for its eye-catching wow factor .

Only  a few thousand women in the world buy Haute Couture clothes. If you are not one of them this Pure Silk Aftershock Dress makes a great alternative.