Haute couture (French for "high sewing" or "high dressmaking") refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted fashions. It originally referred to French fashion and in France, is a "protected name" that can be used only by firms that meet certain well-defined standards. However, the term is also used loosely to comprise all high-fashion custom-fitted clothing, whether it is produced in Paris or in other fashion capitals such as New York, London, and Milan.
Haute couture is made to order for a specific customer, and it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques. (Answers.com)
Since 1945, France government defined haute couture fashion clearly. Till now, only 20 companies are authorized to produce haute fashion: Christian Dior,Chanel,Balmain,Carven,Christian Lacroix,Emanuel Ungaro,Givenchy,Guy Laroche,Hanae Mori,Jean Louis Scherrer,Lecoanet Hemant,Louis Feraud,Nina Ricci,Paco Rabanne,Per Spook,Philippe Venet,Pierre Caddin,Lapidus,Torrent,Yves Saint Laurent etc.
A model presents a creation by Italian designer Giorgio Armani as part of his Spring-Summer 2007 Haute Couture fashion collection in Paris, January 24, 2007.
A model presents a creation by Italian designer Giorgio Armani as part of his Spring-Summer 2007 Haute Couture fashion collection in Paris, January 24, 2007.
A model presents a creation by French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier as part of his Spring-Summer 2007 Haute Couture fashion collection in Paris, January 24, 2007.
model presents a creation by French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier as part of his Spring-Summer 2007 Haute Couture fashion collection in Paris, January 24, 2007.
