Manus x Machina – Feathers and Artificial Flowers

Feathers and flowers are significant forms of embellishment in haute couture and prét-à-porter. There is an extensive process used in creating the petals then the flowers themselves and the skill needed for the final process of featherwork becomes more intense as it nears completion. They all speak to the ultimate craftsmanship of the maisons that specializes in both. 

Featured image Iris van Herpen Dress Autumn/Winter 2013-14. Hand stitched strips of laser cut silicone feathers, hand-appliquéd and machine sewn cotton twill. 

Alexander McQueen (Sarah Burton)-A/W 2014-15 haute couture: hand sewn silk organdy cape hand embroidered ostrich and goose feathers.
Alexander McQueen feather cape detail.
Chanel (Karl Largerfeld)-S/S 2014 haute couture: machine sewn silk satin and tulle with hand embroidered plastic sequins and duck feathers.
Chanel dress detail.
Christian Dior (Raf Simons)-A/W 2015-16 haute couture: machine sewn and hand finished; grey silk tulle amd organza with feathers.
Dior dress detail.
Chanel (Karl Largerfeld)-A/W 2005-06 haute couture: hand made using artificial flowers, barely visible sequins and osterich feathers. Each flower took up to ninety minutes to create, there are twenty-five hundred flowers on the garment.
Chanel dress detail.
Alexander McQueen (Sarah Burton)-Both 2009 prét-à-porter: hand sewn silk duchesse satin and geogette with hand embroidered enameled and silver metal flowers.
McQueen flower detail.
Louis Vuitton (Marc Jacobs)-S/S 2012 prét-à-porter: machine sewn with hand embroidered and laser cut plastic flowers. Grommeted with clear crystal and silver metal studs.
Vuitton flower detail.
Christian Dior (Raf Simons)-A/W 2012-13 haute couture: machine sewn silk organdy with hand embroidered sequins, beads and flower petals.
Dior handwork detail.

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