Haute Couture is the highest echelon of fashion, representing the art of Dressmaking at its finest. It is a term that translates from French as "high sewing" or "high dressmaking" and is legally protected by the Fédération française de la Couture, which sets strict criteria for what can be called Haute Couture.
The roots of Haute Couture can be traced back to mid-19th century Paris, where Charles Frederick Worth, often referred to as the father of Haute Couture, established the first fashion house in 1858. His innovative approach involved creating designs to be worn by clients rather than having clients bring their own designs to be made. This marked the beginning of designer-driven fashion:
To be classified as Haute Couture, a fashion house must meet specific criteria set by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture:
Today, Haute Couture is more than just fashion; it's an art form that showcases:
While the number of Haute Couture houses has dwindled due to the high costs involved, those that remain are seen as the pinnacle of the fashion world. Notable current members include: