If you pay attention to what is going on in the world of fashion, you often hear haute couture. These words always come up in fashion but many do not truly understand it. With this, couture fashion oftentimes elicits misinterpretation and confusion. It is high time to clear things up. Here are the things that you should know about haute couture:
What does it mean?
Many people just settle with the idea that haute couture means a handmade garment. While this is true, this is somewhat vague. You can knit a scarf, does that mean it is haute couture? Haute couture means more than this. Haute couture is actually a French word meaning “high dressmaking” or “high fashion”.
Haute couture is the process of creating handmade custom-fitted clothing from expensive fabrics; it is sewn with precision and extreme attention to detail by experienced sewers. These things give it prestige.
What does it refer to?
Most people think that haute couture only refers to clothing. That is just the tip of the iceberg because actually, haute couture refers to a fashion house that created the looks or fashion designers.
What are the criteria for it to be considered haute couture?
Haute couture originated in France. In 1945, members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture created criteria. This is to screen a couture house before earning the right to call itself couture. Here are the criteria that a couture house must follow:
1. The design should be made-to-order for clients. The fittings should be more than
one.
2. They should have a workshop (atelier) in Paris. The workshop should employ at least 15 full time staffs.
3. They should have at least 20 full-time technical people.
4. The house should present a collection of at least 50 new designs to the public every fashion season – January and July. They should feature day and evening garments.
Knowing the criteria, you will realise that haute couture is not that easy.
Who designs it?
Haute couture is intricate, time-consuming and costly. Having this in mind, there are only a few designers who indulge in this business. Some of the names that create haute couture include Versace, Christian Dior, and Chanel.
Do haute couture lines appear at fashion week around the world?
Haute couture lines do not appear at the big fashion week around the world because they have their own fashion week. Since haute couture originated in Paris, it is no surprise that they do fashion weeks there every January and July.
How much does it cost?
Haute couture items are completely handmade from expensive fabrics. This should give you an idea that it takes a lot of time making it and how much it costs. According to some fashion sources, one couture dress can take from 100 to 700 hours. With this, expect that it will cost a lot of money. The cheapest piece will cost you $10,000. For an evening gown, the price is anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000. Knowing the price, it is no surprise that the clientele list is not very long. Most of the clients are women.
