Summary: “The Collection” is a historical drama series that takes viewers into the intriguing world of haute couture in post-World War II Paris. The story revolves around the Sabine family as they strive to restore their fashion house amidst intense competition and personal turmoil.
Storyline and Setting
“The Collection” is a BBC One series that aired in 2016, setting its lavish narrative against the backdrop of post-World War II Paris. The Sabine family, at the heart of this fashion epic, own the fictitious House of Sabine. The drama delves into their determined effort to revive their fashion empire in a world of fierce competition and changing social norms.
The Sabine Family
At the center is Paul Sabine, the family patriarch, who harbors grand ambitions to restore his family’s former glory. Paul faces pressures not just from rival fashion houses but from within his family and their complex web of secrets and strained relationships. His wife, Claude, is a former Resistance fighter grappling with her wartime trauma while adjusting to the glitzy fashion world. Their sons, Paul Jr. and Claude’s nephew, also feature prominently, each with their own struggles against their father’s traditional values and ambitions.
High-Stakes World of Fashion
The series encapsulates the high-tension realm of haute couture, where creativity, ambition, and rivalry blend to form the story’s core. As Paul vies to put House of Sabine back on the map, he must also manage the delicate balance between his professional vision and the emotional needs of his family. The cutthroat nature of fashion provides a perfect lens through which to explore broader themes of ambition, family loyalty, and the desire for reinvention in post-war society.
Themes and Challenges
“The Collection” effectively weaves together multiple themes—ambition, the fallout of war, and the complexities of family dynamics. It illustrates how personal and professional lives intersect, often with friction. Each character’s journey is marked by attempts to reconcile their pasts with their dreams for the future. The series foregrounds the notion of reinvention, emphasizing how the Sabine family, like Paris itself, must rebuild from the ashes of war.
Talented Cast
The show boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Richard Coyle as Paul Sabine, Mamie Gummer, and Tom Riley. Their performances breathe life into the characters, making the world of 1940s haute couture vivid and compelling. The series does more than showcase beautiful clothing; it brings depth to the human desires and conflicts behind the glamorous facades.
Conclusion
“The Collection” is more than a period drama about fashion; it is a rich exploration of human resilience, ambition, and the quest for identity in a rapidly changing world. The Sabine family’s story serves as a lens through which we can appreciate the broader socio-cultural shifts of post-war Paris.
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Featured Image courtesy of Unsplash and Léonard Cotte (R5scocnOOdM)
