Fantasy couture, also sometimes called couture fantasy, is a type of haute couture. It represents a fashion and design trend that emphasizes fantastical appearance over practicality/functionality. It has elements drawn from the fantasy genre of literature and film, often presented in an extreme style of detail, complexity, and precision. The trend is characterized by individuals such as Iris van Herpen, Eiko Ishioka, Guo Pei, Tim Yip, Robert Wun, Tomo Koizumi, Alexander McQueen, Tex Saverio, The Blonds, Kevin Germanier, Stephen Jones, Charles de Vilmorin, Mary Sibande, and Bobby Love, among many others.[1][2][3][4][5]
An example of this style is performed annually at the Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball held in Hollywood, California, named for the 1986 film Labyrinth.
- ^ Shally, Anneka (November 21, 2018). "Between the Lines - Iris Van Herpen's Fantasy Couture". Annekadotes. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ^ Hirschmiller, Stephanie (November 11, 2013). "Stephen Jones turns fashion designer for Barbie". The Telegraph. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ^ Parsons, Elly (October 21, 2016). "Mary Sibande's alter ego tells the story of post-apartheid South Africa". Apollo. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ^ Weisberger, Jason (January 25, 2016). "The fantastical world of Bobby Love". Boing Boing. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ^ "Bobby Love - The Prince of Fantasy Couture". Avant Garde. November 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2019.