Prêt-à-porter – Stylish fashion for any occasion
Prêt-à-porter - these words have a very special magic and immediately conjure up images of catwalks, supermodels, stars and hordes of photographers, of the incredible locations in the major fashion capitals, Paris, Milan or New York. But where does prêt-à-porter, also known as “ready to wear”, actually come from?
To understand prêt-à-porter fashion, we first need to look at the time before it. Around the middle of the 19th century, what we know today as haute couture, the “high art of tailoring”, developed in Paris. Even back then, this was understood to mean custom-made fashion that was not only elaborate and sometimes extravagant, but also made by hand. All this had its price, which meant that this type of fashion was only affordable for a relatively small circle of customers. Aristocrats and celebrities indulged their individuality and created trends, but everyone else was denied this fashion dream.
However, this was to change in the 1930s. A new type of fashion, prêt-à-porter, became increasingly important in France - largely due to the emergence of boutiques, which the Grands Couturiers such as Elsa Schiaparelli opened in addition to their exclusive couture salons from the 1930s onwards. Initially, however, they did not sell fashion in the true sense of the word, but accessories. It was only later that the range was expanded to include the first prêt-à-porter dresses. In the early days, these were cheaper versions of her couture creations, which often took many, many hours to make by hand.
With the end of the Second World War, this concept of “Vêtements Prêt à Porter” was increasingly developed. In the 1960s, designers began to offer mass-produced wearable fashion that was accessible to a wider public. The term became particularly popular in the 1970s, when boutiques and stores selling this type of fashion opened.
As a result, in the 1950s, well-known designers in Italy and Germany also began to produce fashion on a larger scale and in higher quantities in manufactories and sell it in their own boutiques, the specially opened prêt-à-porter stores.
Made-to-measure vs. ready-to-wear: this characteristic is still the biggest difference between prêt-à-porter and haute couture today, even though prêt-à-porter collections often also incorporate craftsmanship, sophistication and artistry.
The right fit: Prêt-à-porter may be considered ready-to-wear fashion, but the perfect fit is of course still the focus here and is what makes this exclusive fashion so magical. And so the in-house ateliers are also consulted here in order to adapt the fashion perfectly to the body. The right length is measured, sleeves are shortened and zipper lengths are readjusted. This is a significant difference to fast fashion, which places no value on such perfection.
Of course, it also requires a little more effort in terms of care. The exclusive prêt-à-porter needs to be treated well. This is partly due to the fine materials, but also to the elaborate manufacturing process. It is definitely worth taking a look at the label and consulting a specialist cleaning company. This way, you will definitely enjoy this fashion for a long time.
Even today, prêt-à-porter stands for so much more than “ready-to-wear fashion”. Prêt-à-porter fashion has always conveyed a sense of elegance and desirability. Even today, fashionistas from all over the world travel to the prêt-à-porter shows in Paris, Milan, London and New York to see the hottest new trends. And trends are still being created here today. Sometimes it's the absolute must-have T-shirt, sometimes it's the jeans that everyone needs, sometimes it's just the color of the season.
Whereas in haute couture, individual beads are embroidered by hand over a period of weeks, ready-to-wear fashion relies more and more on innovation, new materials and manufacturing processes, but always with tradition in mind. This is another area where ready-to-wear differs from fast fashion. The latter focuses on fast-moving products that often only last one season because quality often takes a back seat. Prêt-à-porter, on the other hand, has a long, eventful history that is celebrated time and time again. And at the latest when celebrities and fashionistas pull out their cell phones again in the front rows and create a global trend with a few Instagram posts, it should be clear to everyone that prêt-à-porter has lost none of its magic since 1850.
Let yourself be inspired by the prêt-à-porter fashion from Talbot Runhof. We will be happy to advise you for your very special occasion and find the perfect outfit for you. Our team in our boutiques and online knows our cuts, materials and fits and will create your absolute dream look for you!