A term that can literally be translated from the French as sewing or dressmaking has come to mean so much more. When the French word haute is placed in front of it, it refers to an excellence in the making of garments. Couture fashion is often made largely by hand and great attention is paid to every detail. Exclusive clients expect a perfect fit for the prices they are prepared to pay.
Parisian women have a reputation for their sense of style. Their desire for bespoke garments that made them stand out from the crowd goes back many years. The garment industry in Paris has a rich history and this is protected fiercely. Only top designers are able to use the label.
Elie Saab, Coco Chanel, Pierre Cardin, Christian Dior and Jean-Paul Gautier are some of these designers. There are about 18 members who belong to a particular syndicate in Paris, employ the required number of 15 or more people and present collections twice a year. Collections must consist of at least 35 outfits that can be worn during the day or in the evening.
The fabrics used for their garments are superb such as luxurious silks, fine wools, soft cashmere and leather. Hours of workmanship are spent on each piece and many individuals may work on it. The ideas behind these garments are original and each designer has a particular style. Chanel is known for its understated elegance while Christian Dior is more avant garde.
Service, originality, workmanship and the quality of the materials used means that these garments command very high prices. In fact, only the very rich can afford them. Not many sales of such garments are made in a year and so the fashion houses have to look for other ways to make money. One may wonder why they continue to make them. The answer lies in the amount of publicity and media attention that is attracted by the shows and the high profile clients.
Ready-to-wear ranges are sold in department stores and boutiques. These garments reflect the signature looks of a particular brand without the extremely high price tags. They still offer good quality and style at more affordable prices. It is these garments as well as accessories like hats, bags, jewellery and perfumes that generate the money for the brand. Huge volumes of such items are often sold.
The designers usually introduce new styles, colors and trends in their collections. Week long events are held in London, Milan, New York and Paris where these collections are shown. These occasions give the brands a great deal of publicity and are attended by celebrities, journalists, bloggers and all the serious players in the world of fashion.
One has to wonder why the system keeps going as it has little financial benefit. The answer lies in the longer term benefits. Such garments raise the brand image and help to promote interest in their ready-to-wear collections. Those who can afford the garments consider them worth the price for the exclusivity they offer and the privacy afforded to them by the system. Others happily purchase ready-to-wear garments and accessories that still offer good quality and a particular look but without the hefty price tag.
Parisian women have a reputation for their sense of style. Their desire for bespoke garments that made them stand out from the crowd goes back many years. The garment industry in Paris has a rich history and this is protected fiercely. Only top designers are able to use the label.
Elie Saab, Coco Chanel, Pierre Cardin, Christian Dior and Jean-Paul Gautier are some of these designers. There are about 18 members who belong to a particular syndicate in Paris, employ the required number of 15 or more people and present collections twice a year. Collections must consist of at least 35 outfits that can be worn during the day or in the evening.
The fabrics used for their garments are superb such as luxurious silks, fine wools, soft cashmere and leather. Hours of workmanship are spent on each piece and many individuals may work on it. The ideas behind these garments are original and each designer has a particular style. Chanel is known for its understated elegance while Christian Dior is more avant garde.
Service, originality, workmanship and the quality of the materials used means that these garments command very high prices. In fact, only the very rich can afford them. Not many sales of such garments are made in a year and so the fashion houses have to look for other ways to make money. One may wonder why they continue to make them. The answer lies in the amount of publicity and media attention that is attracted by the shows and the high profile clients.
Ready-to-wear ranges are sold in department stores and boutiques. These garments reflect the signature looks of a particular brand without the extremely high price tags. They still offer good quality and style at more affordable prices. It is these garments as well as accessories like hats, bags, jewellery and perfumes that generate the money for the brand. Huge volumes of such items are often sold.
The designers usually introduce new styles, colors and trends in their collections. Week long events are held in London, Milan, New York and Paris where these collections are shown. These occasions give the brands a great deal of publicity and are attended by celebrities, journalists, bloggers and all the serious players in the world of fashion.
One has to wonder why the system keeps going as it has little financial benefit. The answer lies in the longer term benefits. Such garments raise the brand image and help to promote interest in their ready-to-wear collections. Those who can afford the garments consider them worth the price for the exclusivity they offer and the privacy afforded to them by the system. Others happily purchase ready-to-wear garments and accessories that still offer good quality and a particular look but without the hefty price tag.
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