Atelier Quarterly — The Magazine
Atelier Quarterly is a menswear couture magazine — written, designed, illustrated, and published by Stacy Stewart Smith. Each volume makes the argument that couture belongs to men, and that the well-dressed man is not following fashion. He is reforming it. Part editorial, part manifesto, part atelier journal, every issue moves from the philosophy of the craft to the garments themselves — the coats, the trousers, the accessories, and the hands that make them. This is fashion as wearable, collectable art.
Vol. II — Couture Reformation
The second volume opens behind a Wedgwood Blue door on Chicago's South Side and builds, across 66 pages, into a full argument for menswear couture as an artform.
Vol. I — La Belle Époque Redux
Where it began. The first volume established the house voice — the essays, the construction detail, and the couture philosophy that Vol. II now expands. A collector's first chapter.
I set out to celebrate the culture and history of couture — not to dilute it. I set out to celebrate the culture and history of couture — not to dilute it.
Respectfully, the artisans that have cultivated couture into the guild that it is, and the integrity of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode should indeed remain as they are. Respectfully, the artisans that have cultivated couture into the guild that it is, and the integrity of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode should indeed remain as they are.
My quest is merely to add to the discussion that the craft of making custom-made apparel using the finest techniques is not exclusive to just those who are privileged to receive recognition at these exclusive showings. My quest is merely to add to the discussion that the craft of making custom-made apparel using the finest techniques is not exclusive to just those who are privileged to receive recognition at these exclusive showings.
For all intents and purposes, couture and bespoke dressing signify the quintessence of high society and capture it like museum-quality sculpture, time-stamping class. For all intents and purposes, couture and bespoke dressing signify the quintessence of high society and capture it like museum-quality sculpture, time-stamping class.
If each of us can wear whatever we want in any fashion we please, then what place does style have in our time? The answer is simple — couture and bespoke are not mere style. If each of us can wear whatever we want in any fashion we please, then what place does style have in our time? The answer is simple — couture and bespoke are not mere style.
Couture, then, is not the opposite of comfort — it is the opposite of indifference. Couture, then, is not the opposite of comfort — it is the opposite of indifference.
You cannot come to the table if you do not dress the part. Couture is quiet costume, seldom seen, with the goal of evoking and impressing, and demarcating the presence of an individual. You cannot come to the table if you do not dress the part. Couture is quiet costume, seldom seen, with the goal of evoking and impressing, and demarcating the presence of an individual.
Couture must exist for the man who lives this lifestyle. And such individuals, like the Leviathan and the unicorn, are not mythical, and anyone still trying to keep the concept of high fashion alive for men is not dated as a ghost from 1930. Couture must exist for the man who lives this lifestyle. And such individuals, like the Leviathan and the unicorn, are not mythical, and anyone still trying to keep the concept of high fashion alive for men is not dated as a ghost from 1930.
We are walking perpetually on an invisible fashion runway with or without an audience. We are walking perpetually on an invisible fashion runway with or without an audience.
Couture is not the concept of dandification but rather a place for personalities of exquisite taste to find suitable, wearable clothing that represents their style, existence, and fantasy. Couture is not the concept of dandification but rather a place for personalities of exquisite taste to find suitable, wearable clothing that represents their style, existence, and fantasy.
I propose that in postmodernity, menswear couture is the marriage of high fashion, fine arts and technology — employing all the gadgets and creature comforts, and inspired by literature, and culture. I propose that in postmodernity, menswear couture is the marriage of high fashion, fine arts and technology — employing all the gadgets and creature comforts, and inspired by literature, and culture.
I do say yes, we should collect and commission and wear menswear couture — as an act of culture and not a transaction. I do say yes, we should collect and commission and wear menswear couture — as an act of culture and not a transaction.