Haute couture is a French term that refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted high-end fashion design. It is a type of fashion design that is characterized by its attention to detail, high-quality materials, and hand-executed techniques. The term "Haute couture" is protected by law in France and is defined by the Chambre de commerce et dindustrie de Paris based in Paris. The Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture is defined as "the regulating commission that determines which fashion houses are eligible to be true haute couture houses". To be categorized as haute couture, a fashion house must adhere to strict criteria laid out in 1945 and updated in 1992.
Haute couture garments are made entirely by hand by the industry’s most skilled artisans and craftsmen and represent the best quality fashion money can buy. They are usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming hand-executed techniques. Each outfit takes between two and three months of work, and certain pieces are valued at upwards of $100,000.
Some key points about haute couture are:
- It is a common term for custom-fitted clothing as produced primarily in Paris but also in other fashion capitals such as New York, London, and Milan.
- It is not only made-to-order for a specific customer but is also usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming hand-executed techniques.
- The term haute couture is protected by law in France and is defined by the Chambre de commerce et dindustrie de Paris based in Paris.
- To be categorized as haute couture, a fashion house must adhere to strict criteria laid out in 1945 and updated in 1992.
- Haute couture garments are made entirely by hand by the industry’s most skilled artisans and craftsmen and represent the best quality fashion money can buy.
