Haute couture is a French term that means "high sewing" or "high dressmaking". It refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted high-end fashion design, which is made-to-order for a specific customer and is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming hand-executed techniques. Haute couture garments are made entirely by hand by the industrys most skilled artisans and craftsman, and represent the best quality fashion money can buy. The term is sometimes used to refer exclusively to French fashion, but it can also refer to custom-fitted clothing produced in other fashion capitals such as New York, London, and Milan.
The term haute couture is protected by law in France and is defined by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture based in Paris. Their rules state that only those companies mentioned on the list drawn up each year by a commission domiciled at the Ministry for Industry are entitled to avail themselves thereof. To qualify as an official haute couture house, members must design made-to-order clothes for private clients, with more than one fitting, using an atelier (workshop) that employs at least fifteen full-time staff. They must also have twenty full-time technical workers in one of their workshops. Finally, haute couture houses must present a collection of no less than 50 original designs - both day and evening garments - to the public every season, in January and July.
Positive aspects of haute couture include the high quality of materials and attention to detail, as well as the opportunity for people to enjoy high-quality, customized fashion. However, haute couture comes at a cost, and not everyone can afford that luxury.
In summary, haute couture is a type of fashion design that is characterized by its attention to detail, high-quality materials, and hand-executed techniques. It is made-to-order for a specific customer and is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric. The term is protected by law in France, and only companies mentioned on the list drawn up each year by a commission domiciled at the Ministry for Industry are entitled to avail themselves thereof. While it is considered important in the realm of high-end fashion, it comes with a high price tag.
