We’re in constant awe of the life of haute couture. Handmade creations that are customized with the highest delicacy of fabric, materials and talent. But what is haute couture more precisely and why do we j’adore it?
What is Haute Couture
Haute couture is the highest form of fashion. The art form is protected by french law, and the couture houses are chosen by la Chambre Syndicale de Haute Couture. There are certain standards you have to meet to be a member. For instance you have to have at least 15 employees, the creations have to be custom-made, and every collection has to be presented in Paris. To make it more understandable, think of it like Mean Girls. The department is Regina George (but a nicer one) and she decides if you can sit with them, but you have to wear pink on Wednesdays if you’re invited. Clear as that right?
History of Haute Couture
Haute couture was coined in the 19th century France. However its existence, as an established fashion matter, goes back to Rose Bertin (1747 – 1813). Bertin designed clothes for Marie Antoinette during the latter half of the 18th century. Weirdly enough though, it’s the english designer Charles Worth (1825 – 1895), who’s considered to be its father. He gave the designers of couture a celebrity status and increased the popularity (see his 1865 creation for Empress Elisabeth of Austria to the right) Since Worth, haute couture became an established feature in the fashion world. Paul Poiret, Chanel, Schiapparelli, Balenciaga and Dior were some that followed the path.
Haute Couture Today
Couture posessed a major fashion status during the first half of the 20th century but lost in its popularity and influence due to the youth fashion that emerged in the 1960’s. Couture became associated with old, luxurious and unreachable fashion that was centered to an elitistic clientele. With new innovations, clothes started to become mass-produced and the old status of couture didn’t fill its former function. Today the couture shows are still dominated by classic brands as Chanel, Dior and Valentino. Some younger fashion houses are contributing too, for instance; Ulyana Sergeenko, Elie Saab and Giambattista Valli.
The Future of Haute Couture
The couture days doesn’t attract as much attention as the fashion weeks, the couture creations are still incredibly expensive, exclusive and remains the art form of fashion it’s been the last centuries. As the younger generation like when things are free and cheap (aka high street shops), the future of couture remains unclear. What remains clear however, is that the shows, creations and dreams of couture are enjoyed by those who love the artsy sides of fashion. As long as that stays, the couture life will hopefully live on and serve us dreamy pieces of fashion art twice a year.
Folks, what are your thoughts on Haute Couture?
My best friend was having a debate with someone over what Haute Couture is, I have to send her a link to this.
http://ohduckydarling.com
I would love the have me one of these dresses.
Xo, Christianne
http://simplychristianne.com
That would just be lovely, they’re so insanely dreamy! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Very awesome!!!
Have a nice evening!
Photographer Gil Zetbase
http://www.gilzetbase.com/
Thank you for stopping by! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I like looking at it, but as someone that really isn’t into fashion I wouldnt even wear most of the prêt-a-porter looks, let alone haute couture.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
It’s a lovely dreamy piece of fashion, but no need to wear it. It’s quite expensive after all! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Love haute couture! thanks for sharing these amazing photos xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com
Haute couture is golden, and lovely to dream of! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
so interesting! Thank you so much for sharing
xo Tessa | http://www.travelwheretonext.com
Thank you for stopping by! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I like *looking* at couture pieces like the ones in the post, but I highly doubt I will ever own one of these garments myself. Very informative post!
alicered.co.uk
Thank you! Yes, couture pieces are lovely to look at and at least dream a little! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
The state of the fashion industry and how we’re revolving to a wear-and-toss state of mind makes me cringe for the waste that’s created. Couture for me is a symbol and reminder of a time when people kept their garments for life and clothing were made with longevity in mind. I’m glad it’s still being revered today although the way people look at it has changed; I think it will forever be a source of inspiration!
xo, alice / T Y P E N U
Your comment was so lovely written and I second everything you said! Couture is a metaphor for the old fashion life where fashion was honored in another way than today’s wear and toss state! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Hi, my dear
thanks for your interesting blog post about haute couture. I love that high end looks at the Fashion Shows but it is a pitty that all those great pieces are that expansive 🙁
Have a lovely day
Elisabeth
http://WWW.missespopisses.com
Thank you, that’s so lovely of you! It’s pity indeed, but they are at least free to watch and be inspired by! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
This is such a great post, as always! The Couture shows are very inspirational for me, though I don’t follow them as closely. What I do admire is the artistic approach in the designs and the combination and use of various fabrics and techniques, which I like to sometimes keep in mind to incorporate in my everyday looks. I agree that the future of couture seems unclear, since it is relatively exclusive, but I hope it does stand the test of time! Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you’re having a great day so far!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Thank you love, you’re always so sweet! They are a llovely dose of inspo and kind of beautiful too as it’s so much work that’s been put into a single piece! And lovely that couture designers dare to dream and expand the lines of fashion and the perception of it. Hopefully couture will stay alive and stand clear! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I love this historical rundown- I don’t think many people know the origin of haute couture. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thank you love! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Oh, I love couture! I wish I could afford it and had more opportunities to wear in my daily life. Until then, I’ll just have to admire it!
http://www.districthilo.com
Love, Mary
Same here, couture remains a dream and inspo until they’ve changed the industry or you can afford it! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I had no idea what the history of haute couture was, but it’s so fascinating! It makes sense it was in Marie Antoinette’s era that it first came to be, but how interesting it wasn’t fully established until 100 years later!
Truly, it feels like she did so much for fashion even though it hasn’t gotten into full bloom until now! Season fashion (well Rose Bertin did introduce that), celebrity fashion and the endless spending! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Haute couture is incredibly beautiful, but far out of my price range. The designs are usually very unique from what I’ve seen. Maybe one day! Lol
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
Hahah same mentality here, one day hopefully! til’ then it’s the dreaming part! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Such a stunning post!
Thank you! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Haute Couture always amazes me! The designs, fabric everything looks so stunning <3 Great post!!
Haute couture is just such a fantasy world, love where it can take fashion! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Wow, I had no idea Haute Couture went that far back. That is so cool. Although I would never wear it real life, I love seeing it in runways. I love the details and look of it!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
It did, it’s the industrial clothes we’re wearing that are younger actually! They’re just so dreamy and too exclusive really, but lovely inspo! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
OMG these looks are perfect. Awesome models.
http://www.ootdchannel.com/
http://www.ootdchannel.com/summer-gingham-outfit-inspiration-from-bloggers/
They’re all so dreamy! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I love the post!!
Dora http://www.BangsBang.com
Thank you! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Really enjoyed this post, you have such a great blog. Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Thank you so much, you’re too kind love! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Everything is so glamorous and fabulous!
Tina
http://www.justatinabit.com
It’s a lovely world of glam and fashion, such a dreamy place! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Incredible outfits! Thanks for sharing!
♥☻♥☻♥
Jeanne
http://fashionmusingsdiary.com
They’re so lovely! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
amazing! 😀
Have a great week!
Animated Confessions
Thank you! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Love this post ! very well written …
Looking forward to the next one .
Hira ,
http://www.hirascabin.com
Thank you, that’s so nice of you! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
This is exactly why I love coming to your blog! So educational! I actually did not know what made “Haute Couture” exactly that. I love how you explained it using a Regina George/ Mean Girls analogy! You are so creative and I feel lucky that I get a fashion crash-course every time I visit!
Keep doing what you’re doing babe!
xoxo
Rina
http://www.andshedressed.com
You’re too sweet babe, thank you so much for your love and support! Always get so much light and love from you! And lovely that you feel like you’re learning something, and love that you noticed the Mean Girls reference hahah, quite proud of it myself! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Wow loved the history behind this, and I hope it stays around the clothes are always so stunning.
Allie of ALLIENYC
http://www.allienyc.com
Same here, hope that they come up with a way to reconstruct the industry without losing the core! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Thanks for giving us a lesson on Haute Couture! I just think of dreamy fashion when I think of it. I would love to attend a show one day in Paris. A girl can dream!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you! Dreamy fashion is a wonderful association to it, and attending a show in Paris would be so lovely! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Great write up! I love couture fashion weeks. So beautiful.
Xo,
Miki
http://mikialamode.com
They’re a lovely dose of dream and inspo! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Loved reading this post! The dream is to one have a piece of haute couture, well a girl can dream!! xx
http://www.thatnewdress.com
Same same tbh, a couture piece and my life would be made! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
What an interesting read! Thank you for sharing this history with us.
Love,
RASHEEDA |THE D’JOURNAE BLOG MAGAZINE
XOXO
Thank you for stopping by! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I am one of the people who don’t know how to appreciate haute couture fashion, I do know that there are so details that go into each creation.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
No need to! It’s one of those things that either you like them or not, but of course, one can always appreciate the amount of work people put in something they believe in! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I love the uniqueness of Haute Couture! Thanks for sharing this history! =)
– Cielo
Mermaid in Heels
It’s a lovely piece of art and so much fun to look at! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
What a fun post! Thanks so much for sharing!
Love, Lindsey
http://www.thenomisniche.com/
Thank you love! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Such an awesome, concise history of haute couture. Thanks for sharing!
Enclothed Cognition
Thank you, the history of couture is lovely! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I agree. Even me as a millenial I most likely shop at high street shops. 🙂
<3 | X ALY | Latest:✨Sheer Polka Dots✨Style Post
So true, and as couture pieces keeps going higher, the gap between everyday people and rich customers increases! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
I loved the Mean Girls comparison here, that was great! I love the idea of haute couture, it’s more like art to me than anything else.
Hahah lovely you noticed, it’s a lovely piece of art and so much fun to learn about! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Ugh, a girl can dream. I’d be happy if I owned just one piece in my lifetime. So beautiful!
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Same here, couture is just too dreamy and every fashion lover should definitely get the chance to wear a piece! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
super informative!! thank you for gathering all that info and sharing it with us!! i love hearing about the evolution of brands and companies 😉
oh, she’s lovely
That’s lovely to know, glad you liked the post! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com
Great post! xx
moorizZLA
Thank you! Xx
https://www.thefashionfolks.com