Dita Von Teese to get a tux from Alexis Mabille

Alexis Mabille showed his first collection as an official haute couture house early Wednesday evening. The terms “couture” and “haute couture” may be bandied about in the U.S., but few design houses can describe themselves as such in France.

That determination can be made only by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture – French fashion’s governing body – according to many considerations, including quality of course.

Sitting front row in a rhinestone-dotted veil, burlesque artist Dita Von Teese said Mabille designed the costume for her new show, which premieres in February at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. The show then moves to New York in March.

As befits her always-stylish striptease, Von Teese said she is having Mabille make her a haute couture tuxedo. Unlike the usual model, however, “It comes apart bit by bit,” she said.

And although there were a few see-through numbers in the show, Mabille’s spring/summer collection came together in a decidedly romantic mood, complete with soft colors, frothy fabrications and a quote about love on the program’s opening page.

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