Haute Couture, pronounced “oat-kuh-tyur” is another French term commonly used and often misused in the fashion world. Haute Couture refers to high fashion specifically made for a particular customer with very expensive and luxurious fabrics, often hand sewn and with particular attention to detail. In order to qualify as a true Haute Couture fashion house in France, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, a professional union, has specific criteria which must be met. The term haute couture is protected by the law in France.

Have you ever wondered why the couture fashions during fashion week are rarely seen again off of the runway? That is because they are artful representations of a particular fashion house and are meant to enhance the good name of the house, never worn by the masses. They are not “ready-to-wear” or as the French call it, “prêt-à-porter” (pret a portay). It is necessary for an haute couture house to also market their prêt-à-porter because there is very little demand for custom made fashions. Some fashion houses have even had to abandon their couture division because of declining revenues and then subsequently, they are no longer considered haute couture.