The Hollywood Reporter posted an article yesterday about Aline Buffet, the “fashion fixer” of Cannes. Aline has been working Cannes for 24 years. She’s the one they call when a zipper breaks or when a hemline needs to be shortened or lengthened. This is fascinating to me because you would think that the fashion houses and the celebrities’ stylists have already worked sh-t out in their fittings. Also, considering that so many of the pieces are loaners, it means much of Aline’s work is temporary, which is an art unto itself. You’d be amazed at what they do on photoshoots to MacGyver outfits so as to avoid permanent damage. If the shot is front-facing, what you don’t see are all the clamps at the back holding everything together. Aline, however, doesn’t have that luxury because everyone is seen in 360 up those famous Cannes red steps. So they have to stitch or fold or staple …but in a way, sometimes, where the garment can be sent back in pristine condition.
The annual Cannes fashion show is now well underway. Cannes fashion has its own DNA. You don’t go for subtle when you dress for Cannes. The key word is “more”. More sequins, more sparkles, more feathers, more colour, more volume, more everything. Everyone at Cannes is a peacock. So here’s Amber Heard in Valentino last night at the Sorry Angel premiere. The print colours on the skirt even match the colours of her side rib tattoos. This is a glorious look. It’s a perfect gown on her. On her. That’s the point. That’s where I have questions.
You see the top? How narrow it is over the breasts? She doesn’t have big breasts and even she’s almost falling out of it. Did she go to Aline to have the tape applied so that it doesn’t move? It’s so well done that you can’t even see it. And what does the top of this dress look like on someone four or six or eight or whatever sizes bigger? Like, proportionally how do they make the adjustment? Are you still almost falling out of it? And how would Aline Buffet modify it for someone else? I mean these are definitely things they have to consider when the piece goes into production for sale, right?
