Haute Couture: Impeccable Style and History

Couture Dress

Haute Couture

When one hears "haute couture", do they think of the unique fashion, luxurious silks, meticulate hand sewing, and extravagant costs that goes into this process? The history of haute couture, which means "high dressmaking" in French is affiliated with tradition, original style, and high quality.

To be considered a haute couture design house, there are standard rules that one must meet. These rules are as follows:

- Designs specifically for a client, with numerous fittings

- Having a designing house in Paris, with at least 15 full time employees

- Twice a year, the design house has to present 35 runs compromised of both daytime and evening wear

Haute Couture's Origin

Haute couture would not be what it is today without the aid of Charles Frederick Worth, who is called "The Father of Couture." During the 18th century, France was the fountainhead of fashion in Europe. Many affluent European women would have dresses made for them by Parisian designers even if they did not reside in France.

Charles Worth was born in England, though gained prominence in Paris with his specialized custom ordered dressmaking. He would create one of a kind designs, by using live models as his portfolio. A client would choose the fabric, and color. He would then make a duplicate of the client's order, and display it. His designs were displayed in the House of Worth.

Charles soon had a loyal following, and the term haute couture popularized.