Crafted Couture

I spent the majority of Sunday creating a top from a pair of trousers whose fabric I became smitten with, and I suppose it's for this reason I got to thinking about "hand-crafted couture"

For most of us, the word couture brings one word screaming to mind: "money." Couture is too much for the everyday fashionista, the kind of clothing reserved for those who have released their first blockbuster movie, or whose fathers own several hotels throughout the world. It's the aspiration of fashion, the stuff that our literal fashion dreams are made of.

However, what makes couture couture? A little investigation, and I found that maybe we are mislead in what the essence of couture truly is. According to the Free Dictionary, the formal definition of "couture" leaves a bit to ponder:

1. The business of designing, making, and selling highly fashionable, usually custom-made clothing for women.
2. Dressmakers and fashion designers considered as a group.
3. The high-fashion clothing created by designers.

In each of these, the essence behind the definition is not costliness, rarity or even status. It's CRAFT. The core idea behind what makes something couture is the act of creation, of something that is the antithesis of mass-produced, uniform and machine-wrought: the vehicles that more and more prestigious fashion houses find themselves turning to in the globalized world of supply and demand.

Is it possible that couture does not truly rest with the big name designers anymore? If not, where should we turn to seek the essential heart of the couture movement?

I provide a possibility: ETSY.

Let's look at Etsy: a marketplace that allows direct contact between the producer and the consumer. There is no middleman, not arbitration party. Much of the material found on Etsy is handcrafted: it can be considered some of the most handcrafted materials available in a public forum today. Not only is it available, but consumers can actually work with the designer in creating their fashion vision: an example being the brilliant cage skirt that Susie Bubble with Angie Montreal collaborated on creating.

By far the most appealing aspect of Etsy is its accessibility to the public market. Before Etsy, many of us would never have imagined owning a hand-crafted piece of apparel, unless we were ourselves fortunate enough to be talented in this area, or were blessed with very gifted friends. Now Etsy gives all of us the opportunity to have a piece of art in our wardrobes, and for prices that are reasonable, if not at times unadulterated bargains.

Below are just a few of the examples of some of the fine outfits being created on Etsy - a more thorough search would surely turn up a wealth of other notable pieces and designers. But much like Etsy itself, these are just the tip of the iceburg.


sculpted cocktail hat by tonyagrossmillinery

Finding a nice hat can be a trying experience, on both your sanity and your wallet. Etsy currently has a veritable explosion of talented designers creating a wealth of gorgeous headware, like this lovely piece by Tony Grossman.


Bustle by artlab

Along with standard basics, some of the pieces that set designers apart are the more experimental pieces. This bustle would be brilliant as a stand-alone piece, or worn under your favorite dress or skirt for a new, avant-garde effect.


Red Riding Lady by genevievedietz

An interesting trend occurring on Etsy are the micro-trends that are developing on the site itself, such as the profusion of designers creating Neo-Victorian, Neo-Bohemian, and Steampunk apparel. This lovely garment by Genevieve Dietz blends old-world chaarm with new world pop to wonderful effect.


Koparpeningur Circus Dress by desirapesta

Sweet, simple, to the point, with just a little more. For the girl looking for strong basics with unique details that separate them from the crowd, Etsy is the way to go, as is exemplified by this lovely tunic dress with a ruffled, circus-esque neckline.


Kissing Fish by andyandkitty

Need evening wear? Etsy has you covered even there. There are a crop of designers specializing in voluminous, formal gowns for weddings, special occasions and general looking your most spectacular.

Who are some of your favorite designers on Etsy?