The Society's annual London Study Day examined this most controversial and inspiring branch of fashion
Venue: London College of Fashion, 20 John Princes Street, London W1M OBJ
Organisation: Costume Society
Introduced by Alexandra Kim, Curator of the Royal Dress Collections at Kensington Palace, the day will examine the changing nature of couture production, the relationship between couturier and client and the commercial and artistic aspect of this most controversial and inspiring branch of fashion.
Alongside papers on the relationship between theatre and fashion at the turn of the nineteenth century and the emergence of Couture as Art Form in the present day, there will be papers on Charles James and Thea Porter as well as an insight into the world of Vivienne Westwood.
There will also be a small display of couture garments from the collection of Leicestershire Museums.
10.30 Registration and chance to see couture items from Leicestershire collection brought by Philip Warren
11.00 Welcome and introduction Alexandra Kim
11.10 Keynote talk
Charles James: Genius Deconstructed
Timothy Long (Curator, Chicago Historical Society)
11.50 From Catwalk to Gallery: Couturier as Curator
Helen Ritchie (Curatorial Intern, Decorative Arts Department, Royal Collection)
12.20 Performing Haute Couture in the 21st Century: Art or Commerce?
Nathaniel Beard (PhD Candidate in Fashion Womenswear at Royal College of Art)
12.40 Questions for morning speakers
12.55 Lunch
13.45 Keynote talk
The bride wore ... Victor Stiebel's wedding dresses Beatrice Behlen (Senior Curator, Fashion & Decorative Arts at Museum of London)
14.25 Vivienne Westwood Couture
Brigitte Stepputtis (Head of Couture at Vivienne Westwood) in conversation with Philip Warren
15.00 Staging Couture: Theatre and Fashion in the late 19th and 20th century
Veronica Isaac (Catalogue and Curatorial Assistant, Department of Theatre and Performance, V&A and Keeper of Costume, Chertsey)
15.30 The Intimate World of Thea Porter Couture Laura McLaws Helms (Graduate Student, Cultural and Historical Studies in Fashion and Textiles)
16.00 Questions for afternoon speakers
16.15 End of Study Day
Evening dress by Charles James, 1954
Cocktail ensemble by Hubert de Givenchy
'The Skeleton Dress', Elsa Schiaparelli
