Fall 2021 Haute Couture Fashion Week Report

Key Takeaways

Couture Redefined

Balenciaga’s debut collection for couture challenged the traditional norms by incorporating casual pieces like hoodies and jeans alongside ball gowns, blurring the lines between ready-to-wear and couture. This move signals a shift in the industry towards a more inclusive and modern vision of haute couture. Additionally, the increasing presence of menswear in couture shows this season marks a pivotal moment, pushing the boundaries of what couture can encompass in terms of gender.

Princess Looks

Traditional, extravagant gowns made from tulle, feathers, and crystals were prevalent in many collections, maintaining the classical image of haute couture. Designers like Elie Saab and Giambattista Valli emphasized feminine silhouettes and pastel tones, while forgoing prints in favor of intricate embroidery and luxurious materials. This season, "Princess Looks" remained a dominant theme, reflecting haute couture’s strong ties to formal, ultra-feminine aesthetics.

Costume Couture

Several designers, including Viktor & Rolf and Maison Margiela, leaned heavily into costume-like, theatrical pieces, demonstrating haute couture’s role as an artistic, boundary-pushing platform. These over-the-top collections focused more on conceptual designs than wearability, reflecting how couture often functions as a space for creativity without the practical constraints of ready-to-wear fashion. Pyer Moss’ bottle cap dresses and traffic light-inspired pieces are prime examples of how couture is embracing fashion as an art form.

Casual Couture

Designers like Julie de Libran and Ronald van der Kemp introduced casual elements into their couture collections, blending daywear with high fashion. Looks that included denim, shirt dresses, and more relaxed silhouettes showed that haute couture is becoming more versatile, merging everyday styles with the luxurious techniques of couture. This trend also reflects the increasing crossover between ready-to-wear and couture, signaling a future where the lines between these fashion sectors continue to blur.

Fabric and Color Trends

Opulent materials like satin, sequins, and feathers remained key choices across many collections, signifying a continued focus on luxury. While classic feminine shades of pink, purple, and pastels dominated, menswear collections introduced more neutral and earthy tones. Knitwear also emerged as a surprising contender in couture collections, showcasing how traditionally casual fabrics can be elevated to fit into the world of haute couture, as seen in Fendi’s innovative pieces.

Other useful resources on 2021 fashion trends:
- FW21 - Fashion review
- Pretty little thing 2021 Autumn collection review
- Urban outfitters 2021 winter trend forecast