VT (for all of my design-obsessed peeps)

imagecourtesyofelle.com Peeps, There were many responses to yesterday's visual treat (silk dress with hand-painted purple irises by Valentino); quite a few were enchanted by the sensual elegance of the garments and accessories, particularly the extravagant head-wear, and others found themselves reminiscing about the past.   One reply in particular was quite moving:   'Ohhh my gosh, I love the dress with the irises! It brings back wonderful memories of the dress I wore to my high school prom. We didn't have the money to buy a new dress, so I drew out what I wanted and my mom sewed it.  Together on those cold MI winter nights we embroidered a smaller spray of flowers than the irises pictured on the front and back of the gown. I wish I still had that dress.' Haute Couture preserves the almost timeless tradition of custom-fit and individualization.  A client meets with the designer (or his representative who is usually a trusted aide or design accomplice) an...