Love Affairs in Melbourne-Chapter 243 - 238: A Unique Way of Entering

A Haute Couture studio would struggle to fully display the designer’s intricate details with high quality if it lacked skilled tailors, embroiderers, accessory and footwear craftsmen.

After the studio in France was set-up, the first issue to address in order to meet the audit requirements of the French Ministry of Industry was the recruitment of skilled "Masters."

Initially, Allegro had even suggested that Yan Yan go to the Paris High Fashion Guild College to study Haute Couture craftsmanship.

But that wouldn’t leave any room for mystique.

And the skills learned at school were never the top of the line.

How could one possibly produce such craftsmanship without having seen the best?

So, Yan Yan had decided on that unique way of making an appearance herself.

Yan Yan’s purpose in doing this was to come into contact with the world’s top fashion "craftsmen" by the means of a customer.

Go to the best Haute Couture Maison, receive top-level service, and complete her education throughout the service experience.

Besides learning, there were two other benefits to this approach.

First, it would expose newbie Yan Yan to the world, helping her understand the Haute Couture processes and craftsmanship of a top luxury studio.

Second, it would allow Yan Yan to observe the real working conditions of European artisans with a craftsman’s spirit.

Yan Yan tried her best to become the easiest client for these craftsmen to communicate with.

That way, even if she couldn’t recruit them directly when she later established her own studio, it would still be great if they recommended a few apprentices to her.

In July 2012, when Yan Yan undertook this remarkable action, the Paris studio had not yet been formally established, the audit work hadn’t even started, and the legendary Haute Couture hadn’t yet shown a hint of its debut.

During a period with "nothing underway," spending over a million euros on "learning visits" was a mode of action that would be misunderstood in any team.

Yan Yan’s idea could no longer be described merely as a little bit crazy.

Yan Yan was neither a Persian Gulf Noble who spends a million euros as casually as the public might spend a hundred, nor was she a reckless rich second generation.

The manner of her entrance was just an impromptu boastful remark made by Yan Yan because she couldn’t think of any other way to maintain her mystery while elevating herself to the standards of Haute Couture.

Unexpectedly, it was supported by Yan Ling.

Wenzhou people in business never liked to play by the books.

Yan Ling thought no pain, no gain.

That wasn’t enough; just Yan Yan and Yan Ling being over enthusiastic wouldn’t accomplish anything.

After all, among the current core team members, aside from the Yan siblings, there was also Allegro who had been a "frequent customer" in the Haute Couture circle for many years.

Theoretically, the "unexposed-to-the-world" idea of Yan Ling and Yan Yan should have been directly rejected by Allegro.

But Yan Yan had underestimated Allegro’s passion for Haute Couture.

Allegro, who adored Haute Couture, not only didn’t find Yan Yan’s idea crazy but also expressed his full support through his actions.

On July 1, 2012, the opening day of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week Versace show, it was Allegro who took Yan Yan inside.

This show, Atelier Versace, was loaded with effort.

In 2012, Versace returned to the Haute Couture stage after an eight-year hiatus. The show at the French Academy of Fine Arts in January did not impress as it lacked atmosphere and character, hence the subdued response.

Since the 1997 shooting death of Versace’s founder, Gianni Versace, in Miami, his sister Donatella Versace, at the helm, gradually moved away from the Haute Couture stage.

To Versace, the July 1, 2012, opening show of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week held immense significance; it could determine how much further and higher Versace could go in Haute Couture.

Donatella chose the Ritz Hotel in Paris for the show, a venue her brother had used for Versace Haute Couture presentations before his death.

Versace was always a brand Yan Yan liked, but she had hardly ever bought their clothes.

Not because they weren’t attractive, but because they were too sexy and too lavish,

Sexy to the point of feeling not quite suitable for Yan Yan, who was still a student.

This was Yan Yan’s first time at a Haute Couture show; after watching Atelier Versace’s show, she went directly to the showroom and placed six orders in one go—two pairs of shoes, two short dresses, and two coats.

One of the coats was the opening Look worn by supermodel Lindsey Wixson.

It was a beige A-line trench coat visibly bearing Versace’s signature style.

A rose gold metal belt and bare gold stripes served as decorations.

Even as a coat, thanks to the belt design, it could perfectly display a supermodel’s figure.

The two rose gold X-shaped decorations on the belt highlighted the theme of the season.

The short dresses Yan Yan bought mainly featured tarot card prints on silk and chiffon.

The skirt’s high-waist design, metallic decorations similar to those on the coat, and a flesh-colored belt created a gripping silhouette.

The sheer material showcased body details, while the addition of chiffon brought seductive sexiness.

The tactful sheer effect and perfect waistline made Yan Yan, who had initially just intended to watch the show and gain some exposure, "strike" decisively.

Versace’s Haute Couture daywear, unlike its too-sexy prêt-à-porter, hit just the right note.

Heading straight to the showroom to pick clothes after watching a Haute Couture show was essential.

The main reason for doing so wasn’t that the clothes would be gone if you were late.

Many people think of Haute Couture as always being one-of-a-kind, but this isn’t necessarily the case.

If you don’t specifically indicate that you want to buy an exclusive of a design, and another person also likes the same design, it’s possible.

In the world of Haute Couture, many people become friends because they "share the same taste."

In a nutshell, if you are interested in an outfit and another customer has shown interest too, the Haute Couture house staff will let you know in advance.

Someone else has already ordered this design.

But if you don’t mind and the other person hasn’t asked to exclusively own it, you can still have the garment you desire.

Imagine, if globally there are only two pieces of a design, and you and the only other person who shares your interest happen to wear it in the same place at the same time, that too is a kind of destiny.

If you happen to meet by some means, you can arrange to wear it together or schedule to avoid wearing the same outfit at the same time.