Haute Couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. It is usually made from high quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail. Costume and Fashion history would not be the same without Haute couture.
The cost of a couture item runs from about £10,000 for a simple blouse to £40,000 and often beyond that figure.
The fabrics available to the couture house would be very luxurious and include the latest novelty fabrics and expensive silks, fine wools, cashmeres, cottons, linens, leather, suede, other skins or furs. In the case of a famous design house the design and colour of a cloth, may be exclusively reserved for that couture house.
Hats, trimmings, buttons, belts, costume jewellery, shoes and innovative pieces are finely crafted to complement the fabrics and fashion ideas being created.
When a customer decides to order a Haute Couture garment she needs to first make an appointment with the design house prior to any visit to Paris. Model garments from collections are sometimes out of the country being presented elsewhere. Some couture houses provide a video of the collection to serious purchasers.
When Lady Autumns’ golden rays
Begin to say adieu
A fairy with a fashion sense
Must think of something new
Silken sleeves and petal skirts
Possess a certain flair
But won’t pass fairy muster
In the frost and chilly air
