Submitted by Allison Oberembt on the 2020 winter session study abroad program in Paris, France sponsored by the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies…
The third week of winter session is ending and this has been my favorite week so far. I was one of the six girls selected to be given the Elie Saab couture internship. Elie Saab is a haute couture designer from Lebanon who was doing a show for the women’s couture fashion week. My internship lasted five days and ended the day of the show after everything was cleaned up and put away.
The first day at the Elie Saab internship, we had to make surethe correct number of all of eh accessories and shoes were there. We laid out and organized the shoes by size and style. We also bagged the jewelry up by different styles. The following days leading up to Elie Saab consisted of doing castings for the models. We had models coming and going all day long for three days just trying on dresses to see if the fit and look was right. The last day before the fashion show we did the final fitting when every model came in to make sure the dress fit correctly and if it did not, they were sent upstairs to be tailored. The tailors worked on almost 50 dresses for the entire day. I was more worried that the dresses would not be done in time, until I was told every year the day before the fashion show, the tailors stay in the shop all night long and do not sleep. They are fixing dresses even up until the time we are in the venue. This has caused me to have a new level of respect for the couture workers and how the dresses were made. I never knew the hard work and precision it took to create these looks and put on a fashion show with 59 different looks.
After being involved with men’s fashion week and the couture fashion week ,I have grown to have more appreciation for the diversity of fashion. I have a better understanding of the hard work it takes to just put on a fashion show, aside from making the garments. I also have realized how long it actually takes to produce the couture dresses. With this new found information it makes me realize why the prices are so high and why people value couture garments as much as they do. This experience surpassed anything I could have imagined since I have never been introduced to couture until now. With this knowledge and experience as an intern, it will open doors for me in the future if I continue to pursue a career in fashion.
After working for most of the week, I am excited to have my first free weekend with my roommates and travel around Europe. We are planning to go to two countries, but nothing is booked yet.
