What is Haute Couture?

Haute Couture (Υψηλή ραπτική) is the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. Haute couture is high-end fashion that is constructed by hand only, made from high quality, expensive fabric, sewn with extreme attention to detail.

Every little stitch is made by hand and made to the person's body.

Haute Couture is made in Paris in an atelier (tailoring and dresses). In fact, Chanel has 4 ateliers just to keep Haute Couture alive.

The Haute Couture collection is presenting at least 50 original designs every fashion season (twice: in January and July each year) of both evening and day garments.

Considering the amount of time, money and skill allocated to each completed piece, Haute Couture garments are also described as having 'no price tag' and are rarely sold. Most of the time only royalty can afford these.

So, why do brands decide to do these collections of they lose so much money and time out of these?

1. Getting the press

2. Sometimes, the Couture forecasts what the new season will be about

3. To dress celebrities - getting more press

4. For the sake of art

Haute Couture is the ultimate collection to show the brand's identity, heritage, and history.

The king of Haute Couture is Maison Valentino. Pure elegance and craftsmanship.

But of course, John Galliano too, characterised by his super creative theatricality (look at Dior archives)

But who can dismiss Chanel in all this talk?

Haute Couture archives work in many cases as a source of inspiration for the newer collections. It is an inspiration for all kinds of creation - from editorials to other forms of art.

The Haute Couture collection is also an opportunity for the designers to show off their skill with complete creative freedom. it's their chance to show the world their full potential and to test their ground.

Lastly, you may have come across the term 'Haute Couture' and 'Couture' and you might be wondering what the difference is.

Haute Couture, is the official term authorised by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

There are a certain criteria to be fulfilled in order for a house to legitimately call a collection as Haute Couture, such as the amount of designs created, the number of employees working on a garment and the hours put into each.

The Haute Couture Designers that are registered and recognised officially are:

• Maurizio Galante

• Chanel

• Atelier Gustavolins

• Bouchra Jarrar

• Alexis Mabille

• Alexandre Vauthier

• Frank Sorbier

• Christian Dior

• Jean Paul Gaultier

• Stéphane Rolland

• Givenchy

• Adeline André

and outside Paris:

• Versace

• Valentino

• Elie Saab

• Armani

• Giambattista Valli

these houses were also recently invited:

• Julien Fournié

• Serkan Cura

• Maison Rabih Kayrouz

• Zuhair Murad

• Schiaparelli

• Rad Hourani

• Iris van Herpen

• On Aura Tout Vu by Yanna Samouilov and Livia Stoianova

• Serkan Cura

• Yiqing Yin

• Marco Zanini

• Béatrice Demulder Ferrant

• Ralph & Russo

• Hervé L. LeRoux