Haute-à-Porter, Haute-Couture in Ready-To-Wear fashion

From the 2nd of April until the 11th of September 2016 Fashion Museum Hasselt in Belgium presents ‘Haute-à-Porter’, curated by the internationally acclaimed costume designer, journalist and photographer Filep Motwary. Haute couture is synonymous with craftsmanship, luxury, extravagance and spectacle. But aren’t these typical features of contemporary prêt-à-porter?

The exhibition examines this question further and researches the changing relationship and cross-fertilization between haute couture and ready to wear. Through a variety of themes and a selection of spectacular silhouettes and accessories from high end designers and fashion houses, the exhibition highlights the significance of haute couture for contemporary fashion. Completed with photography, film, art and music, Haute-à-Porter offers a unique insight into the fashion industry of the last 30 years.

Participant designers and houses: Dior, Chanel, Erdem, Burberry, Lanvin, Rochas, Nina Ricci, Vivienne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto, Givenchy, John Galliano, Gareth Pugh, Roger Vivier, Prada, Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten, Christian Lacroix, Delpozo, Mary Katrantzou, Jil Sander, Balmain, Jean Paul Gaultier, Viktor & Rolf, Alberta Ferretti, Thierry Mugler, Anna Molinari, Ann Demeulemeester, Comme des Garçons, Giambattista Valli, Balmain, Rick Owens, Blumarine, Undercover, Giles, Christian Louboutin, Thom Browne, Marios Schwab, Sacai, Alexander McQueen, Herve L.Leroux, Anrealage, Schiaparelli, A.F. Vandevorst, Olivier Theyskens, Gucci, Iris Van Herpen, Stephen Jones, Alexis Mabille, Jay Briggs, Giuseppe Zanotti, Anya Caliendo, Iris Schieferstein, Erik Halley, Norita Katatehana, Maison Martin Margiela, Roger Vivier…

Photographers presented in the exhibition: Peter Lindbergh, Miles Aldridge, Nagi Sakai, Luigi and Iango, Charles Fréger, Francesco Brigida, Emma Summerton, Mikael Jansson, Erik Madigan Heck, Matthias Vriens-McGrath, René Habermacher, Michael Thompson, Fabien Baron, Thanassis Krikis, David Dunan, François Berthoud, Krishna Godhead, Sheila Metzner, Sofia Sanchez & Mauro Mongiello, Michal Pudelka, Ali Mahdavi, Txema Yeste, Daniel Jackson, Kevin Tachman, Giampaolo Sgura, Sebastian Kim, Tim Richardson, Bill Georgoussis, Matthew Brookes…

Artists presented: Hedwig Snoeckx, Iris Van Dongen and Koen Vanmechelen.

About the Book ‘Haute-à-Porter’
Along with the exhibition a book will be published by Lannoo, with interviews and contributions from Angelo Flaccavento, Alexander Fury, Antonio Mancinelli, Colin McDowell, Farida Khelfa, Irene Silvagni, Maria Luisa Frisa, Robin Schulie, Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni, Nicole Phelps, Pierre Hardy, Rick Owens, Stephen Jones, Thom Browne, Tim Blanks, Vivienne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto, Viktor & Rolf, Zandra Rhodes completed with visuals by more than thirty renowned photographers and artists.

Book review from the Virtual Shoe Museum
The exhibition is divided into themes such as crinoline, volume, draping, classic, decoration. In the accompanying book, these themes are commented thoroughly. Motwary shows us interesting very stories, by combining historical handwork items from the museum’s private collection with iconic pieces from todays fashion visionairs. This book reflects the exhibition’s themes in a great mix of very interesting photography with Haute Couture masterpieces. The original compact interviews, with renowned fashion icons like Vivienne Westwood and Yohji Yamamoto, literally dig deeper into the material. The book states great fashion quotes like Rupaul’s ‘We’re all born naked, the rest is drag!’.

About the author
Filep Motwary started his career at the Greek editions of Vogue and L’Officiel in early 2000. He then worked for fashion houses such as John Galliano, Christian Dior and Chloe. Today he is Fashion Features Editor of Dapper Dan Magazine and has interviewed more than 200 fashion pioneers. Among others, he photographs for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Joyce.com, Giambatista Valli, Hyeres Festival. Motwary is still active as a costumes designer and he is the founder of The Kinsky.

Haute-à-Porter, Haute-Couture in Ready-To-Wear fashion
Editor: Filep Motwary (Lannoo)
Format: 23 cm x 28 cm
Features: Full color, hardcover, 208 pages
Price: € 45
ISBN: 9789401429139

You can order your copy at Lannoo