The French word used for dressmaking or sewing now means much more, particularly when it is prefaced by the word haute or high. Couture fashion has come to mean garments created with a certain artistry, using superb materials and excellent workmanship. These garments are cut and fitted perfectly to suit the shape of a particular client. Many hours are devoted by numerous employees to bringing these creations to life, with attention paid to every tiny detail.
There is a long history in France of such excellence in making garments. High-class Parisians wanted to wear dresses that no-one else was wearing so they could stand out from the competition. The label retains this aura of exclusivity and opulence today. It can only be used by select designers who adhere to certain conditions.
Design houses must belong a particular organization in Paris and employ 15 or more people. They are required to present their collections twice a year and show at least 35 outfits, including both daytime and evening wear. Pierre Cardin, Coco Chanel, Elie Saab, Jean-Paul Gautier and Christian Dior are amongst the fashion giants who belong to this syndicate.
In making these garments, the designers use exquisite fabrics such as cashmere, leather, fine wools and silks. Great attention is paid to cutting and fitting the garment for a special client. After this, many hours are spent creating it and a number of people may work on a certain garment at one time. Some garments are created specifically for models to wear as part of a collection.
Service, originality, workmanship and the quality of the materials used means that these garments command very high prices. In fact, only the very rich can afford them. Not many sales of such garments are made in a year and so the fashion houses have to look for other ways to make money. One may wonder why they continue to make them. The answer lies in the amount of publicity and media attention that is attracted by the shows and the high profile clients.
Most of these giant brands have ready-to-wear collections. These are still quality garments and capture the signature style of the brand without the hefty price tag. Most houses also have ranges of accessories like bags and scarves as well as perfumes. It is these items that are often purchased in large quantities, enabling the brands to continue making exclusive garments that do not make them money.
People look to the top designers to introduce changes in fashions. Each season they come up with new looks for their collections. They present these collections at shows held in Milan, New York, London and Paris. The latest fashions are revealed and the brand receives much publicity. Fashion bloggers, journalists and TV reporters as well as many celebrities attend such shows.
One has to wonder why the system keeps going as it has little financial benefit. The answer lies in the longer term benefits. Such garments raise the brand image and help to promote interest in their ready-to-wear collections. Those who can afford the garments consider them worth the price for the exclusivity they offer and the privacy afforded to them by the system. Others happily purchase ready-to-wear garments and accessories that still offer good quality and a particular look but without the hefty price tag.
There is a long history in France of such excellence in making garments. High-class Parisians wanted to wear dresses that no-one else was wearing so they could stand out from the competition. The label retains this aura of exclusivity and opulence today. It can only be used by select designers who adhere to certain conditions.
Design houses must belong a particular organization in Paris and employ 15 or more people. They are required to present their collections twice a year and show at least 35 outfits, including both daytime and evening wear. Pierre Cardin, Coco Chanel, Elie Saab, Jean-Paul Gautier and Christian Dior are amongst the fashion giants who belong to this syndicate.
In making these garments, the designers use exquisite fabrics such as cashmere, leather, fine wools and silks. Great attention is paid to cutting and fitting the garment for a special client. After this, many hours are spent creating it and a number of people may work on a certain garment at one time. Some garments are created specifically for models to wear as part of a collection.
Service, originality, workmanship and the quality of the materials used means that these garments command very high prices. In fact, only the very rich can afford them. Not many sales of such garments are made in a year and so the fashion houses have to look for other ways to make money. One may wonder why they continue to make them. The answer lies in the amount of publicity and media attention that is attracted by the shows and the high profile clients.
Most of these giant brands have ready-to-wear collections. These are still quality garments and capture the signature style of the brand without the hefty price tag. Most houses also have ranges of accessories like bags and scarves as well as perfumes. It is these items that are often purchased in large quantities, enabling the brands to continue making exclusive garments that do not make them money.
People look to the top designers to introduce changes in fashions. Each season they come up with new looks for their collections. They present these collections at shows held in Milan, New York, London and Paris. The latest fashions are revealed and the brand receives much publicity. Fashion bloggers, journalists and TV reporters as well as many celebrities attend such shows.
One has to wonder why the system keeps going as it has little financial benefit. The answer lies in the longer term benefits. Such garments raise the brand image and help to promote interest in their ready-to-wear collections. Those who can afford the garments consider them worth the price for the exclusivity they offer and the privacy afforded to them by the system. Others happily purchase ready-to-wear garments and accessories that still offer good quality and a particular look but without the hefty price tag.
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