Haute couture is a niche market in the fashion industry, focused on the most elite crowd of 200 regular customers a year and showcases in Paris. What goes on behind the scenes with the Haute Couture world? And despite having such a small clientele number, why is it each designer’s most sought after fashion regard to be part of Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture in Paris?
Haute Couture: A Timeless Elegance
The French term “haute couture” means “high sewing”, and has come to indicate custom luxury designing and quality that is uncommon. The made-to-measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client. The most popular brands that produce haute couture are Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino.However, there are many new fashion houses upping their game in haute couture such as Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, and Iris Van Harpen.
To be included in the haute couture exclusivity, the designer house must be part of the Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture in Paris, regulated by the French Department of Industry. The designer must also present their collections twice a year, where each collection includes 35 outfits for day and evening wear.
Haute couture has a customer base of about 2,000, with only 200 regular customers, most of them being royalty, socialites, and celebrities. However, despite the small market, designers maintain haute couture collections to increase prestige and brand value. Not only that, but each dress costs from $26,000 to $100,000 and takes anywhere from 100 to 400 working hours to complete.
Haute couture pieces are known to be one of a kind, of the finest quality, and developed with the best artistry. Customers swear that these dresses feel like a second skin and that nothing can get more luxurious then their exquisite workmanship. They are definitely something to be coveted by those who want to invest in a symbol of prestige that comes with haute couture.
One of our favorite designers, Zuhair Murad’s dresses never failed to impress. His haute couture pieces graced our offices and came together to create our own collection of his beauties:
Zuhair Murad Black Dress Zuhair Murad Wedding Dress Zuhair Murad Blue Gown
The Difference between Haute Couture and Ready-To-Wear
Ready-to-wear, also known as pret-a-porter and shortened to RTW, are ready-made garments manufactured using a mix of hand sewing and factory equipment for high-end brands. These collections come in standard sizes by luxurious fashion designers, and are usually produced in limited quantities that are distributed worldwide. On the other hand, a haute couture outfit is custom-made to the measurements and
Our Ready-To-Wear pieces are part of limited edition designs ranging from Elie Saab to Oscar de la Renta:
Naeem Khan Gold Gown Oscar de la Renta Tulle Dress Zuhair Murad Pink Gown
YSL Snake Print Gown Elie Saab Monochrome Gown Marchesa Embellished Gown
View our full collection of gowns here >>
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Image sources: Fashion Era, Susantbak, Vogue, Photo Pleasure