The Fortuny pleat is a fascinating, organic process. This pleat is all done manually. This is a great article discussing the background of the Fortuny pleat, which dates all the way back to ancient Egypt.
https://www.fortuny.shop/blog/techniques/story-of-fortunys-plisse/
Take a look at how the house of Christian Dior creates the Fortuny pleat in action!
https://youtu.be/m2G6H2O300A?si=AYU0ZMZCuuUZCS2i
While today's Balenciaga under Demna may be controversial, it is interesting to see how they are applying traditional couture techniques to create their ultra modern pieces.
Here's a link to their website, you'll be able to watch short clips on the making of a faux fur coat, a hoodie, and a fur dress.
https://couture.balenciaga.com/en/savoir-faire/
Check out this wonderful site by Royal School of Needlework. They've put together a free stitch bank for everyone. The site gives step-by-step tutorials on how to make certain embroidery stitches, and some come with video instruction. There aren't many couture stitches but there are some, like, the tailor's buttonhole stitch. You can check it out here.
I saw this post by pattern designer Marcy Tilton on the Dior bar jacket and thought folx on the forum would be interested in her writing on the construction of the jacket. https://marcytilton.com/blogs/news/iconic-dior-bar-jacket
Reading Tilton's blog post reminds me, as always, of what can go into a couture garment. All the 'backstage' work to create a fabulous 'on-stage' look for the wearer and the admiring viewers.
Of course I was fascinated by the word “chatelaine,” and Wikipedia mentions that the name chatelaine derives from the French term châtelaine which meant the “mistress of a chateau.” She would have worn a belt for her keys, which the current meaning of chatelaine derives from.