PAA CLASS WITH NICOLE DOUVRY IN AFTERNOON ON 9 SEPTEMBER 2013

KEE@FSWMAG.COM
NICOLE DOUVRY IS A RENOWNED HAUTE COUTURE TEACHER AND ACCOMPLISHED COUTURE DRESS MAKER WHO WORKED IN THE HAUTE COUTURE ATELIER OF NINA RICCI FOR 34 YEARS FROM 1965 TILL 1999 WHEN NINA RICCI STOPPED MAKING HAUTE COUTURE TO CONCENTRATE ON PRET-A-PORTER.

Nicole Douvry then worked with Courreges from 2000to 2008 before taking a long deserved hiatus. Of course once you are a haute couture dressmaker you remain one for ever so in 2013 she joined Paris American Academy as Haute Couture lecturer.

She speaks little English so the President of Paris American Academy itself Peter Carman joined us from 2 pm to 5 pm as translator! What an honour as usually this is done by other staff but students from IFTC get special treatment since Peter Carman and Mrs Annie Wong have been personal friends for decades! 

Nicole Douvry taught and demonstrated how a couture gown was made from a sketch. She draped a mannequin using muslin or toile so she could bring the sketch to life. Within an hour her expert hands the muslin cloth became magically transformed into a prototype gown as envisioned by the designer!

Later Peter Carman took out a grand red evening gown by Madame Pico, a famous couturier who handmade this customised dress using the specific Gres method. This dress would have cost 12,000 euros (RM 50,000) so the IFTC students enjoyed a rare treat and were squealing with excitement at the rare chance to see, hold, touch and examine a genuine couture gown!

Waiting for Nicole Douvry who would demonstrate the art of draping

Wuth Agnes

Nicole Douvry brings out the mannequin and sketch by designer

Cutting the toile (muslin) on the bias

Peter Carman, president and owner of Paris American Academy was translator for Nicole Douvry's drape class which was a big honour

Still in early stage

Peter Carman and Nicole Brisoux in action

This is the sketch by professional designer which Nicole Douvry will create using muslin cloth. Once it is completed and approved by designer, the actual fabric will be used to make the dress which can cost anything from RM 25,000 to RM 50,000!

The bow is added and what a difference! Suddenly the top begins to take a life of its own!

IFTC students get up close and personal with Nicole Douvry to learn the details

Peter Carman brings the haute couture gown made by Madame Pico the head of Nina Ricci atelier

This gown is worth RM 70,000!

The IFTC students are all thrilled to be able to see, examine and touch a genuine haute couture gown made using the precise and complex Madame Gres method

 Nicole Douvry also shows how the French couturiers take measurements that envelope the entire body for a perfect fit!

 Group photo!

IFTC STUDENTS FROM KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA ATTENDING THE DRAPE CLASS AT PARIS AMERICAN ACADEMY UNDER NICOLE DOUVRY