Comments on: Interning with Christian Lacroix

By: Jillian Krebsbach

Jillian Krebsbach — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:29:18 +0000

Hey Katie,

Nice to see more details about your internship. That seems like such a long time ago at Baylor. I was just checking out some articles on here and link to your post came up. I realize it was from ‘07, but still cool to read.
Hope you are doing well…

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:15:02 +0000

“I found it interesting that a few key people provided sketches. As long as the sketches were made on paper with the Lacroix header, it was considered to be his.”

Hi Katy,

I was wondering how much you got to see Lacroix design. Did these “few key people” design most of the runway collection or is it mostly his hand on the sketches? What about designs for specific customers? Did he receive clients himself for special made-to-measure dresses?

Thank you, by the way, your post is most interesting!

By: Rocio

Rocio — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:31:18 +0000

Hi Katy,

I found your post very inspirational… and it’s great that you shared your experience with us!

You are a great example of how far perseverence and being polite to people can take you.

By: J C Sprowls

J C Sprowls — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 16:33:31 +0000

KatyRenee said: In the end, it turns out she was going to other haute couture houses as well and selected another designer. The amount of time that was put into meeting with her [...] was significant. She did make a small purchase from us–something in the model size from the previous collection.

While less common that clientele in this arena would shop several designers, it does happen. This clientele tends to be much more selective and chooses firms carefully after pre-screening (i.e. attending shows, reviewing sketches, etc.).

I think images like these are what a lot of design school students visualize their careers to be. They have no idea the significant amount of time, money and effort (on many people’s parts) that goes into providing the world-class service that is expected at this level.

The “small purchase” this client made was a gesture to reimburse the house for their upfront investment. She recognized their effort. Sadly, this etiquette is also lost. I presume she is European?

RE: vouchers. These are a common employment benefit, as M-C mentions. However, I believe they are also voluntary. Several of the companies I worked for offered them. In fact, we took them for granted. That is, until some higher-paying jobs didn’t offer them.

RE: Paris:

I miss: public education, public transportation, immense libraries, fresh food, the Opera, the Marais, etc.

I don’t miss: postage stamp sized apartments with thin walls, water restrictions and tight budgets.

By: KatyRenee

KatyRenee — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 10:36:31 +0000

I’m glad you enjoyed! Carmel, I’m not sure what I can add about client interactions and order fulfillment. Clients generally had appointments scheduled. I was surprised by one client in particular. She was requesting designs for a wedding dress. She came to our offices 3 or 4 times in one week. In the end, it turns out she was going to other haute couture houses as well and selected another designer. The amount of time that was put into meeting with her, requesting sketches, requesting embroideries, requesting fabrics, etc. was significant. She did make a small purchase from us–something in the model size from the previous collection. But it was quite small in comparison to the work we provided. Most of the ‘regular’ clients would either come to Paris around the times of shows or would wait for Marie to make her rounds to London, and the US–generally a stop in NYC in another in California. They’d order a few garments for the upcoming season. Some items were for day, some for night. I think it took about 1-2 months to fulfill orders that were created from scratch. For items purchased off the runway, they typically made any adjustments (adding fabric where sheer isn’t practical, fitting to the client, etc.) within the week or few days the person was in Paris and the clients generally took the garments with them. For the ‘regular’ clients they had forms with their measurements in the studio and made things based on that. They’d ship the garments, if they weren’t local, and Marie would come with a seamstress to do any final touches. Any time a wedding gown was ordered, someone from the salon (Marie or one of 3 others) generally went with the gown to make sure it was perfect. They’d take a seamstress to make any adjustments.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

By: Amy Mello

Amy Mello — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:45:27 +0000

Wow! What a special experience. Thank you so much for sharing.

By: Lisa NYC

Lisa NYC — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 09:52:29 +0000

WOW! What an incredible experience! Thanks for sharing it with us, Katy!

By: Marie-Christine

Marie-Christine — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 08:57:09 +0000

Amusing that you appreciate the meal tickets and very cheap ‘cantine’ to be such a benefit of Lacroix – they’re a standard French benefit. One of those things expected to be picked up by any decent employer, while the state provides directly nearly-free health care, bursting public libraries, road repairs, comfortable retirement, art and research budgets… all amenities that the american public has nearly forgotten, sadly. There’s a lot to be said for a public budget that doesn’t go entirely to defense!

By: Penny

Penny — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 07:43:36 +0000

Wow! What a cool experience for you and for us to read about. It would be fabulous to be surrounded by so many exquisite fabrics and artists. Thanks so much for sharing your amazing adventure with us!

By: Carmel Dolcine

Carmel Dolcine — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:58:47 +0000

Congrats Katy. Very nice post. Networking is key and this is a fine example of how important it is to take initiative, take some risks, and go after opportunities to learn first hand the way couture really works.

If there is anything else you can contribute concerning the way the business side works in terms of client interactions and order fulfillment, I would really appreciate hearing more.