A Different Kind of Couture

A Different Kind of Couture

Just recently, I was browsing through 2009/10’s haute couture collections and was appalled by some of the outrageously bizarre couture pieces that consistently made it onto runways. One wonders who the designers muse was. It doesn't take much imagination to conjure up scenes from horror movies with some of the pieces- Seriously! Couture on fashion runways tend to be decidedly weird. Ever so often however, inspiration seems to find its way through. Only then, is beautiful couture made.

Food Inspired Fashion



(Photos by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s fall 2009 collection from Milan Fashion week
Image Credit: Coutorture

Lego Inspired Fashion
French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac introduces Lego to the high fashion world with Lego inspired hats and glasses made from real Lego bricks





(Photos by Photo Agency)

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Spring/Summer 2009 collection, Paris Fashion Week
Image Credit: Zimbio

Columbia Bio-fashion week 2009


(REUTERS/Jaime Saldarriaga)

Colombian designer Nataly Jojoa, 2009 Biofashion week
Image Credit: (REUTERS/Jaime Saldarriaga)

Music Inspired Fashion

(Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Fall 2009 collection
Image Credit: Coutorture

Pac-Man Inspired Fashion
Designer Giles Deacon brought in Pac-man fashion to Milan with Pacman-inspired head gears/ helmets






Photo by Marcio Madeira. See style for more

Giles Deacon’s Spring/Summer 2009 collection
Image Credit: TrendLand

Though unusual, these are beautiful pieces! They capture the essence of fashion. They make you see differently. They stick in your head.

This is where health comes in.

If couture can be inspired by leaves/ trees, Lego bricks, food and even Midway’s Pac-man video game, then why not health? The state of both global and domestic health is quite alarming particularly in the area of women’s health. What better way to raise awareness than through health-inspired couture? In my opinion, when creativity and art can be channeled effectively into fashion, powerful health messages can be created. It provides an opportunity for consumers, to find out about a health issue, get interested in it, take measures to protect themselves from a poor health outcome or decide to be part of making a difference.

With couture, half the time, the question people ask is “where in the world would you wear these things??” With health-inspired couture however, this question can be answered- it is a different kind of couture-one with a message. It aims to jolt the senses, to get the word out, to get people to start talking and to force people to take positive action.

Why not Fashion?