What is Haute Couture?

Haute couture refers to the designing, creating, and selling exclusive custom-made, high fashion women's clothes.

The term "haute couture" comes from the French language. Haute means "high" or "elegant", Couture means "sewing" or "dressmaking".

A business must be a member of the Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture in Paris, which is regulated by the French Department of Industry, in order to be called a haute couture house.

Originally referred to French fashion and in France, now the term Haute Couture is also used loosely to describe all high-fashion custom-fitted clothing.