Couture: A Lesson

"It’s come to our attention that couture’s confusing.


Clothes don’t earn the label just because they debut in Paris, or because they walk a runway on Lara Stone’s back, or because they cost an obscene amount of money. To design couture, to become a couturier, one must be certified by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and follow these rules:

1.Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.
2.Have an atelier in Paris that employs at least 15 people full-time.
3.Each season present a collection comprised of at least 35 looks for both day and night.

Though the first couturier, Charles Frederick Worth, was a Brit, the following Parisians and French houses are the only certified couturiers: Adeline André, Anne Valérie Hash, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Dominique Sirop, Franck Sorbier, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maurizio Galante, Stéphane Rolland and John Hogstad Lund. There are four correspondent members: Elie Saab, Giorgio Armani, Maison Martin Margiela and Valentino, and a rotating list of guest designers." Courtesy of Fashionista