10 core points about Haute Couture fashion 7
Being a high-end fashion line, a set of clothes is only called Haute Couture when it meets the industry’s strict standards.
1. Definition
Haute Couture, is a French term, in which `couture` means `sewing`, `fashion` and `haute` denotes elegance, sophistication, high class.
2. History
In the 18th century, designer Rose Bertin was a major influence on French fashion.
However, by the 19th century, things changed completely.
Today, the uniqueness of design is still emphasized in Haute Couture dress models.
A Haute Couture dress model in Christian Dior’s latest Fall-Winter 2014 collection.
3. Haute Couture fashion house
According to the law, a Haute Couture fashion house is only recognized when they pass the strict requirements of the French Ministry of Industry and the French Couture Federation.
One of the first requirements is that designers must create costumes from customers’ measurements and have appropriate fitting and editing services.
4. Labor
Those are skilled tailors.
5. Selling price
A Haute Coture set requires at least 20 people to complete in around 700 hours and has a selling price many times higher than regular tailoring.
Schiaparelli dresses shine during high fashion week fall-winter 2014. Photo: Style.
6. Customers
In addition to the upper class in France, Haute Couture today also has buyers (people who buy high-end items to resell) from Russia, China and the Middle East.
7. Place of introduction
Haute Couture collections are always launched in Paris.
The selling price of each Haute Couture outfit depends on the material, sophistication as well as the name of each fashion house.
8. Key members
According to Telegraph, the names officially present in the list of fashion houses meeting Haute Couture standards include Christian Dior, Valentino, Elie Saab or Jean-Paul Gaultier.
9. Material
For Haute Couture, only outfits made from the best materials from the hands of the best artisans are accepted.
10. Profit
Fashion houses receive very little profit from Haute Couture clothes.
