Couture is often used loosely in fashion, but haute couture has a specific legal meaning in France.
A protected label
FashionUnited reports that French law has protected the term since 1945 and placed it under the oversight of the Ministry of Industry. The label is granted by ministerial decision on advice from a commission set up within the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. It is awarded for one year and has to be renewed each season.
The criteria
Pieces must be original, made to measure and handmade, with designs coming from the house’s permanent artistic director and work carried out in workshops in France. A house needs two workshops, one for structured tailoring and one for soft, fluid pieces, and at least twenty employees. Shows take place in Paris in January and July, with at least 25 looks, although some rules have recently been relaxed.
Why it matters
Knowing this helps separate genuine haute couture from designer ready-to-wear that simply borrows the word.
Sources: FashionUnited: haute couture protection.
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