5.24.2015

The Essence Of Couture Fashion

By Tammie Caldwell


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.

Bespoke garments were considered a necessity for high-class Parisians in the 19th century. They wanted to make sure the garments they wore set them apart from other women. There is still an opulence and exclusivity that surrounds the label and it can only be used by a select number of designers who have to meet the standards.

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.

In making these garments, the designers use exquisite fabrics such as cashmere, leather, fine wools and silks. Great attention is paid to cutting and fitting the garment for a special client. After this, many hours are spent creating it and a number of people may work on a certain garment at one time. Some garments are created specifically for models to wear as part of a collection.

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.

All this attention translates into sales of their ready-to-wear ranges. They are sold in boutiques and department stores to customers unable to afford the high prices of exclusively made garments but who still desire quality, stylish garments. Every designer has a specific look such as Chanel with its understated, tailored appeal and the avant-garde style of Christian Dior. These looks come through in their ready-to-wear garments and accessories. Dresses, scarves, perfumes, jewellery and bags often sell in large volumes and this is where the brands make their money.

People look to the top designers to introduce changes in fashions. Each season they come up with new looks for their collections. They present these collections at shows held in Milan, New York, London and Paris. The latest fashions are revealed and the brand receives much publicity. Fashion bloggers, journalists and TV reporters as well as many celebrities attend such shows.

Producing these exclusive garments is seen by many brands as a long-term investment. They augment their image and raise the profile of their ready-to-wear ranges. Those able to afford the garments are quite happy to pay for the exclusivity and the privacy this system offers them.




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