Last week it struck me that I have a great fashion documentary in my possession that I forgot to review. And even better it’s available on You Tube!
Perhaps many of you have already seen The Secret World of Haute Couture, but it is such a good movie that it deserves a little extra plugging. The movie is produced by BBC and as the name suggests it tries to get inside this rather closed society. We get to follow the movie maker in her attempts to understand why some women fork out ten thousands for garments they only might only wear once or twice.
We get to know the patrons, ranging from English heiresses to trophy wifes to Park avenue matrons who shopped at Dior when Christian Dior still was alive, and peak inside their wardrobes. All the women talks about how there is no turning back once you have started wearing couture – it almost becomes an addiction and several of the customers, perhaps in defense of the high prices and the lack of wear, likens collecting couture to collecting art.
I really like Margy Kinmonth, the filmmaker who has made this documentary. Throughout the movie she gives personal and very insightful reflections on this rather odd world. Like that many customers are on a constant diet in order to fit into the model samples, since they can get them at a 30% discount. And how the pecking order works when you want to to get into the inner circle.
Also one of my favorite fashion personalties is in this movie – Daphne Guinness. She often gets slammed for her eccentric fashion choices, but like the late Isabella Blow, I admire her boldness and that she keeps experimenting with styles in a way that usually only young people do.
So if you are curious about haute couture, and have not yet seen this gem, I can strongly recommend this movie!
