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Twice a year in Paris, fashion has its most exclusive, expensive and extraordinary moment: haute couture.
The literal French translation of “haute couture” is “high dressmaking” and it is a legally protected term that can only be used by brands approved by the French Ministry of Industry. The fashion houses that are part of this elite group must adhere to strict rules, which include having an atelier in Paris that employs at least 20 staff members, and making custom garments for private clients with one or more fittings.
Haute couture garments are made entirely by hand by the industry’s most skilled artisans and craftsman,and represent the best quality fashion money can buy. And yes, this comes at a price, with certain pieces valued at upwards of $100,000.
A model walks the runway during the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 20, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
A model presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier during the Women's Spring-Summer 2020 Haute Couture collection fashion show in Paris, on January 22, 2020. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images
A model presents a creation by Chanel during the Women's Spring-Summer 2020/2021 Haute Couture collection fashion show at the Grand Palais in Paris, on January 21, 2020. - The Grand Palais was turned into the garden of the Cistercian abbey in Aubazine, central France, where Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel grew up. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)
Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Images
PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 21: A model walks the runway during the RVDK Ronald Van Der Kemp Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 fashion show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 21, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Elie Saab Autumn-Winter 2015 —
In the fashion community, haute couture represents the highest quality money can buy.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Jean Paul Gaultier Autumn-Winter 2015 —
Haute couture, which means "high sewing" in French, is a term for garments that are made entirely by hand by the industry's most skilled artisans and craftsman.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Valentino Spring-Summer 2015 —
Not every designer can call their work haute couture. Only those who have been approved by the French Ministry of Industry have that right.
Each garment is made-to-order and designs are often limited edition.
Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Christian Dior Autumn-Winter 2014 —
Prices typically start at $10,000, but can go up to the hundreds of thousands.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Chanel Spring-Summer 2015 —
Haute Couture Fashion Week, held twice a year in Paris, is organized by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. The committee is made up of representatives from the designated couture houses, including Chanel and Christian Dior.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Viktor & Rolf Autumn-Winter 2015 —
Lesser known brands like Viktor & Rolf, Bouchra Jarrar and Ralph Russo also show on schedule.
Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Lan Yu Autumn-Winter 2014 —
There are about 30 haute couture shows in Paris, compared to 150 women's ready-to-wear shows each season.
Francois Durand/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Giorgio Armani Prive Spring-Summer 2014 —
Couture clients have traditionally been wealthy western Europeans, but there are growing client bases in China, the Middle East and Russia.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Atelier Versace Autumn-Winter 2015 —
Couture shows are not only used to sell the garments themselves. Couture imagery is often used to market affordable luxuries like lipstick and leather goods.
You can think of couture as the highest of high fashion, created by internationally renowned brands like Chanel and Christian Dior, as well as lesser-known ones such as Bouchra Jarrar and Elie Saab. In January and July each year, they all present painstakingly elaborate and extremely expensive designs to a handpicked audience of editors, buyers and clients.
And of course, there’s no better place to show off these creations than on the red carpet.
