Things You May Not Know About Haute Couture

Tonight, January 25, Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week Spring 2015 will officially open with the collection of Atelier Versace. Before admiring the upcoming designs, let's learn some interesting information about this luxurious and classy fashion line.

What is haute couture?

'Haute couture' is a term that refers to the concept of high-end, luxurious and splendid tailoring in fashion. This line of clothing is exclusively designed for each customer with the most accurate body measurements. These are works of art made entirely by hand based on the world's most precious and rare materials. And of course, couture designs all have a price comparable to a fortune that not everyone can afford. Therefore, every time the term 'haute couture' is mentioned, fashionistas give it the utmost respect and admiration for a luxurious and splendid fashion world.

Twice a year, in January and July, Paris hosts Haute Couture Fashion Week to honor the pinnacles of fashion design. One thing is clear to everyone: “Not every designer dares to label their dresses haute couture”. Therefore, now and forever, the Haute Couture line in Paris is always the pinnacle of creativity, luxury and class, the immortal ‘temple’ of fashion.

Who are Haute Couture's customers?

The world's top stars always appear on the red carpet in classy Haute Couture outfits. However, they are not customers of this fashion line. Because most of those outfits are borrowed and must be returned immediately after they finish promoting the brand for the fashion house on the red carpet.

So who are the real Haute Couture customers? They are wealthy women in some European and Asian countries, but most of them are women in Middle Eastern countries - like Dubai or Saudi Arabia. They are successful businesswomen or the wives of the richest men in the world.

Women who can afford to buy Haute Couture regularly form a 'closed club' and they don't like the attention of the traditional media. No one knows their identities except the designers. Couture houses guard their client lists very closely, they don't tell anyone who they are designing for. Karl Lagerfeld once said: '"Don't ask me who they are, I'm like a doctor, it's a medical secret."

How to own haute couture?

Haute couture designs are extremely expensive, but not everyone with a lot of money can buy them. To own these top-notch works, customers must directly contact the Haute Couture fashion house to order tailoring. Then the brand will consider whether to accept tailoring for this customer or not, because it depends on the relationship and status of the buyer. If accepted, the customer will be scheduled to go to Paris, meet the head designer to discuss, choose a model and take measurements. During the process, the customer must come back several more times to have the outfit adjusted to fit properly. Then they will wait to own the world's unique design in their wardrobe.

Strict standards for Haute Couture fashion houses

According to the law, a Haute Couture house is only recognized when they pass the strict requirements of the French Ministry of Industry and the French Couture Federation. In which, the Ministry of Industry is responsible for issuing regulations to manage and protect Haute Couture, while the French Couture Federation is responsible for indicating which houses truly produce products that meet Haute Couture standards.

One of the first requirements is that designers must create clothes from the customer's measurements and provide fitting and alteration services. In addition, they must own a qualified atelier in Paris with at least 15 designers and no less than 20 workers. A Haute Couture house must present at least two collections a year, in January and July. The clothes presented must include both daytime and evening wear.

Implementation process

All stages of creating a haute couture piece are done by hand. From creating the fabric waves, pleats, to cutting each flower and creating the style, embroidery, beading, sequins… Everything is done meticulously with absolute precision at each stage. The entire team of designers and tailors, about 20 people, will work full-time, with great concentration for about 1-2 months to complete a piece.

Impressive numbers

2,200 is the estimated number of regular haute couture seamstresses in France who are constantly transforming gorgeous dresses from blank paper into reality.

15 – 20 is the number of people working full-time at the same time on a design.

150 – 700 hours is the average time to complete a haute couture outfit depending on the complexity of each design.

€10,000 – €50,000 is the average price for each Haute Couture product. Depending on the level of sophistication, intricacy and effort put into completion, the most magnificent evening gown designs can cost up to several hundred thousand €.

3,000 women around the world have the ability to wear Haute Couture and about 200 are regular customers of these top-notch designs.

20 brands will participate in the show at Haute Couture Spring 2015 Fashion Week.

According to Depplus.vn/MASK