While October is traditionally a spooky and macabre season, with Halloween to cap it off, as a dancer, I enjoy the costume part of the month. People get a chance to show off their creativity and take a chance on something they might not wear. That’s not limited to just you and I, though- designers also create costumes of sorts. And there is no better example of that to me than John Galliano, During his 15 years at Dior, he created some of the most extravagant and outrageous pieces in the house’s history. So, today I am pondering Galliano and the “couture costume”.
Note: I mean costume in the best way possible with this ensemble- if you are going to pretend to be someone, pretend to be the most opulent queen on the planet.
John Galliano for Dior
If you ever have the chance to see a larger Dior exhibition, Galliano’s pieces will stand out immediately. He used the house’s team to their full abilities, and one could describe his work as “extra”, as the kids say. The Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition book describes him perfectly. “Galliano pushed the definition of haute couture, mixing subversive social themes with a vast range of fashion content…The results were, in every sense, spectacular.” (Cullen, 148.)
Couture Costume- Look 4 (Winter 2004)
This ensemble is striking in person- the silk, rabbit fur, and Swarovski crystals are quite the combination. I find that some of Galliano’s looks cross over into costume territory for me because it so closely mimics its inspiration- I don’t know that there could be a more literal “queenly” ensemble here. And I’ve got to say, he does it so well. He embraced it throughout his career and created some of the most jaw-dropping looks.
Now for someone to show up at a Halloween party with this on…
What do you think of couture costumes like this?
Cheers,
The Historian
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
