Haute couture or, ”oʊt kuːˈtjʊər” as it is pronounced in French, means "high sewing" or "high dressmaking", which is referred to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. In the fashion industry many talk about the latest trends and high end retailing but what exactly is haute couture needs to be explained in detail.

Haute couture is fashion that is constructed entirely by hand without the use of sewing machines from start to finish. The fabric that is used is of high quality, expensive and often unusual. The sewing is done with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable seamstresses, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques.

An haute couture garment is often made for a client, tailored specifically for the wearer’s measurements and body stance and most often each couture piece is not made for sale but rather, constructed for the runway, much like an art exhibition. They are most often made to further the publicity, as well as perception and understanding of brand image.

The term originally referred to the work done by Charles Frederick Worth, an Englishman who is widely known as the father of haute couture which was produced in Paris in the mid-nineteenth century.

Worth's footsteps were followed by designers such as Callot Soeurs, Patou, Poiret, Vionnet, Fortuny, Lanvin, Chanel, Mainbocher, Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, and Dior. Some of these fashion houses still exist today, under the leadership of modern designers.

Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Paris is the French regulating commission which governs as to who can use the term “haute couture” on the designs made. To earn the right to call itself a couture house and to use the term haute couture in its marketing, members of the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture must ensure that the designs are made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings, have a workshop in Paris that employs at least fifteen staff members full-time, must have twenty full-time technical people in at least one workshop and every season, the couture house must present a collection of at least fifty original designs to the public, both day and evening garments, in January and July of each year.

It is not easy to maintain a haute couture fashion house due to the exorbitant costs in making these garments compared to other apparels therefore the number of couture houses have decreased considerably over the 20th century and by 2004 there were only 9 high-ranking couture houses, which are  Chanel, Versace, Valentino, Dior, Givenchy, Gaultier, Lacroix, Mori, Sirop, Scherrer and Torrente.

With hardships aside, the giant couture houses maintain the standards and repute by showcasing glamorous and artistic designs every year which would probably never actually be worn by anyone. This year Elie Saab showcased his newest haute couture collection which has been the most widely spoken of. This designer is well-known for dressing well-known personalities for numerous prestigious events. This year the collection composed of princess-worthy gowns, which included plenty of sparkle in a varied color palette, as well as structural skirts, interesting shapes and delicate floral appliqués which was quite captivating.

By Radhi De Silva