Anne Valerie Hash Spring 2010 Couture Collection?

The Couture has become so personal and subjective that it barely resembles itself. With Lacroix's salon going under the auction block and perhaps his Couture archive next, nothing is sacred. This collection by Hashe is yet another clear example of the times that are forever changed. According to her program notes, she contacted people and designers she admires, asking for a garment she could incorporate or interpret into her collection. This in itself is a new way and an esoteric way to start. Lots of things from Alber Elbaz's jammies to Tilda Swinton's tank top and another designers veil, etc. went into the mix. What resulted was a modest 15 piece collection of clothes that did not suggest Haute Couture. They were a collection of items, pleasantly styled adding up to very little. You may think the images chosen are perfectly lovely, and I won't say I think otherwise. But, this was the best I could find worth illustrating this piece.

Had this been shown here during the collections they would most likely gotten a drubbing by the press, if they got any mention at all. I was more surprised than moved in any way by the paucity of ideas. This collection is what buyers would not expect on the runway, and be unimpressed with finding them hanging in the showroom. Perhaps that's an excessively harsh commentary but in this case the Emperor's Old Clothes somehow didn't have a chance to get made.