By Annie Leibovitz for Vogue US (2004)
Picture from ccwearschanel.blogspot.com
… that literally means “high dressmaking” refers to luxury custom-made clothing. The term is protected by law and can only be used by members of the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture.
Christian Dior Couture S/S 2007
Christian Dior Couture F/W 2009
Picture from geniusbeauty.com
Charles Frederick Worth, an Englishman living in Paris in the mid-19th century, is considered the father of haute couture. He revolutionized the clothing industry by taking the power to dictate the design away from the customers. He showed his designs on live models four times a year, and the colour and fabric became the only choices of the client.
House of Worth evening dresses (1887, 1892)Picture from metmuseum.org
The Chambre syndicale de la haute couture, which was founded by Worth, nowadays has 11 official members:Adeline André
Anne Valérie Hash
Chanel HC
Christian Dior Couture
Christian Lacroix
Christian Lacroix A/W 2010
Picture from purseblog.com
Dominique SiropFranck Sorbier
Givenchy
Gaultier Paris
Gaultier Paris A/W 2010
Picture from purseblog.com
Maurizio GalantePicture from purseblog.com
Stéphane Rolland
The four correspondent (foreign) members are
Elie Saab
Giorgio Armani Privé
Giorgio Armani Privé A/W 2010
Picture from purseblog.com
Picture from purseblog.com
Maison Martin Margiela
Valentino
There are 16 guest members, whose shows fail to meet all the requirements of the Chamber.
Among the 26 former members are Balenciaga, Pierre Cardin, Lanvin, Nina Ricci and Yves Saint Laurent.
Anne Hathaway in Valentino Couture
Picture from justjared.buzznet.com
Each custom-made item usually requires three fittings and takes 100-400 hours to make. Because of the high-quality fabrics and the amount of careful work put into them, some couture gowns cost over 100,000€. There are about 2000 women in the world who buy haute couture, and only 200 regular customers.
Sarah Jessica Parker in Christian Dior Couture
Picture from justjared.buzznet.com
Picture from justjared.buzznet.com
Because of that, haute couture actually runs at a loss. Fashion houses continue this activity because the prestige of it helps sell other products, particularly perfumes and accessories, which are highly profitable.
And now, here are some pictures of one of my all time favourite editorials.
It's Emily Blunt, wearing haute couture, photographed in Le Raincy, outside Paris by Michael Roberts. Styled by Jessica Diehl. For Vanity Fair (May 2009).
It's Emily Blunt, wearing haute couture, photographed in Le Raincy, outside Paris by Michael Roberts. Styled by Jessica Diehl. For Vanity Fair (May 2009).
Christian Dior Couture
Christian Dior Couture
Valentino
Chanel HC
Roger Vivier
Giorgio Armani Privé
Pictures from projectrungay.blogspot.com
Surely this is the embodiment of perfection? And since I obviously can’t afford any of these things, maybe I should at least buy a perfume by one of these companies... So that I could at least smell the luxury. I do need a new scent and can probably scrape together enough money for one. Should cut back on eating anyway. (And this, children, is exactly how haute couture boosts sales.)
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