Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Hamburg, 1938) for House of Chanel (French, founded 1913)
Wedding ensemble (back view), autumn/winter 2014–15 haute couture
Courtesy of CHANEL Patrimoine Collection
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel (French, 1883–1971)
Suit, 1963–68 haute couture
French
Wool, silk, metal
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Mrs. Lyn Revson, 1975 (1975.53.7a–e)
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Hamburg, 1938) for House of Chanel (French, founded 1913)
Ensemble, autumn/winter 2015–16 haute couture
Courtesy of CHANEL Patrimoine Collection
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Yves Saint Laurent (French, 1936–2008)
Evening dress, autumn/winter 1969–70 haute couture
French
Silk, bird-of-paradise feathers
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, 1983 (1983.619.1a, b)
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Iris van Herpen (Dutch, born 1984)
Dress, autumn/winter 2013–14 haute couture
Dutch
Silicone, cotton
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, 2015 (2016.14)
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Iris van Herpen (Dutch, born 1984)
Ensemble, spring/summer 2010 haute couture
Dutch
Polyamide, acrylic, leather
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, 2015 (2016.16a, b)
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Raf Simons (Belgian, born 1968) for House of Dior (French, founded 1947)
Ensemble, spring/summer 2015 haute couture
Courtesy of Christian Dior Haute Couture
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Issey Miyake (Japanese, born 1938) for Miyake Design Studio (Japanese, founded 1970)
"Flying Saucer" dress, spring/summer 1994
Courtesy of The Miyake Issey Foundation
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Christian Dior (French, 1905–1957)
"Vilmiron" dress, spring/summer 1952 haute couture
French
Silk, nylon
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Mrs. Byron C. Foy, 1955 (C.I.55.76.20a–g)
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Christopher Kane (British, born 1982)
Dress, spring/summer 2014
Courtesy of Christopher Kane
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Hussein Chalayan (British, born Cyprus, 1970)
"Kaikoku" floating dress, autumn/winter 2011–12
Courtesy of Swarovski
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Nicolas Ghesquière (French, born 1971) for House of Balenciaga (French, founded 1937)
Dress, spring/summer 2003
Courtesy of Balenciaga Archives, Paris
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Iris van Herpen (Dutch, born 1984)
Dress, spring/summer 2012 haute couture
Courtesy of Iris van Herpen
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Hamburg, 1938) for House of Chanel (French, founded 1913)
Wedding ensemble, autumn/winter 2005–6 haute couture
Courtesy of CHANEL Patrimoine Collection
Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope