high fashion

[reaction]

What does 'high fashion' mean to you? What makes it 'high' and not just a nice dress? Does it have to be unique, not normally wearable, or can anything be made into a high fashion shot with the right pose and setup?

[JM Tran]

I do a lot of high fashion photography

some points of being considered high fashion

-couture hair style
-couture dress - not necessarily pret-a-porter stuff
-professional model
-exquisite make up
-nicely designed set or location
-professional lighting and not just an off camera flash and umbrella

basically, if it looks expensive and unique/exquisite and not your typical Model Mayhem style shoot with random 'model's - you are halfway to a high fashion shoot.

[ricktas]

Agree with JM, it refers to the couture stuff (which to me is completely stupid and generally unwearable, except for couture shows and photoshoots)

[ricstew]

couture means handmade.......or hand finished......high fashion is fashion that will sell on High Street London........usually expensive knock offs of couture......

[JM Tran]

couture means handmade.......or hand finished......high fashion is fashion that will sell on High Street London........usually expensive knock offs of couture......

Gotta disagree with that, as even fashion houses and modeling agencies see high fashion as different to your view High fashion has transcended the High St London vibe a longggggg time ago and is now its own beast

Haute Couture is a French phrase for high fashion. Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments. The purchase of a haute couture model garment is at the top level of hand customised fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house. A model haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer's measurements and body stance. The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client.

http://www.fashion-era.com/haute_couture.htm

[ricstew]

[QUOTE=JM Tran;1033704]Gotta disagree with that, as even fashion houses and modeling agencies see high fashion as different to your view High fashion has transcended the High St London vibe a longggggg time ago and is now its own beast

" The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client. "

Haute Couture.......hand made........hand sewed, hand fitted for a particular person.........High St was where it started........the knock off designer clothes......most are now made in Asia and sold on.......notice how quickly a royal wedding gown copy can hit the shops.....
Pre a porter........off the rack.....

[Nadyne]

Speaking from an Alternative Model's point of view, I tend to agree with JM. High fashion and couture is most model's dream. The one off dresses and outfits, the crazy but fantastic hair and make up, the extreme angular poses, the unique props or locations, the big name photographers. Pushing the boundary and expected limitations of all these industries, combined into one result. The total effect. All very impractical and over the top, but about that one off shot, that one off runway walk, the first impact of the image. It's extreme and that's what I love about it.