One Flew Over the Couture's Nest
Traditionally, couture's sumptuous fabrics and delicate embellishments were a status symbol for women that should be seen and not heard. Good thing this isn't your grandma's couture. Photographed by Nadine Ijewere. Fashion Editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson

Manami wears yellow embroidered felted wool top and bonded silk skirt by VIKTOR & ROLF COUTURE

Crêpe georgette and cock feather dress by GIVENCHY HAUTE COUTURE

Opposite: Chen (left) wears orange tweed suit, ivory silk shirt, and shoes, and Manami (right) wears coral tweed suit with origami flowers by Lemarié and shoes (right) by CHANEL HAUTE COUTURE

On this page: Embroidered organza gown, heels, handbag by FENDI COUTURE

Printed silk taffeta cocktail dress and silk satin heeled sandals by GIAMBATTISTA VALLI HAUTE COUTURE

Yellow ostrich beaded tank dress, gloves, and shoes by SCHIAPARELLI HAUTE COUTURE, gold, imperial topaz, and diamond necklace and earrings by TIFFANY BLUE BOOK COLLECTION

On this page: Grand flou bustier dress by SCHIAPARELLI HAUTE COUTURE, tights by WOLFORD, shoes by CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

TWISTED SISTER. On this page: Chen (left) wears brown wool supersized trousers cut into a strapless dress with hand-cut holes worn over a nude corset and Manami (right) wears biker waspie over a navy polyamide knit, a white long-sleeved shirt, and nude crin trousers with black ski trouser detailing and a white-painted sailor hat by MAISON MARGIELA ARTISANAL DESIGNED BY JOHN GALLIANO

Opposite: Manami (left) wears yellow embroidered felted wool top and bonded silk skirt by VIKTOR & ROLF COUTURE; Chen (right) wears sleeveless patchwork top and embroidered silk skirt by VIKTOR & ROLF COUTURE

M“Epicycle” dress in transparent organza by IRIS VAN HERPEN


Feathered bustier dress, heels, headdress, tights, and earring by DIOR HAUTE COUTURE
Citations: Hair Edward Lampley at Bryant Artists using BioSilk, Makeup Grace Ahn at Julian Watson using MAC Cosmetics, Models Chen at Storm Management and Manami at MP Paris, Casting Angus Munro at CLM, Manicurist Ama Quashie at Streeters using Dior Beauty, Photographer’s Assistants James Gilbert and Joe Murphy, Fashion Assistants Elsa Durousseau and Anne-Cécile Lemee, Makeup Assistant Miki Matsunaga, Production Salwa Hilali at JN Production, Production Assistants Léna Samson, Alex Marillat, Rémi Amuah, and Ivan Dion at JN Production, Retouching by @touchdigital