Luxury in its highest form: Haute Couture
The Definition of Haute Couture
Haute Couture represents luxury tailor-made clothes that have been made in Paris. During the production of beautiful robes only the highest quality materials are utilised, with a huge emphasis on finishing and on all the other details. For ladies and gentlemen from high circles in Paris during the 19th Century, Haute Couture was a necessity and it was impossible for them to show up in the same clothes that someone else had already worn.
Luxurious dresses for luxurious sums
Haute Couture describes sewing with immense precision and care, so it should not be surprising that some dresses can be mastered within up to 700 hours. Because of this they also cost a lot of money. For their clothes ladies and gentlemen can easily spend an amount between half a million and 3.5 million Czech Crowns.
Haute Couture clothes represent a smart investment
It is not only rich Frenchmen, but also the Cream of Society from Russia, China and the Middle East, who are willing to pay a lot of money for their clothes. Often, these clothes appear in private collections and represent a very smart investment, as they obtain a higher and higher value over time.
If you thought that people would come directly to the showroom or to the show, you would be wrong. The collection is delivered via a private aircraft directly to the customer, who then makes his or her choice.
Which designers are entitled to use the Haute Couture designation
In order that the brand or the designer could boast of his/her Haute Couture designation, it is necessary that they meet the strict requirements of the French Ministry of Industry and also of the Fédéracion Francaise de la Couture. The designer must produce tailor-made clothes for private clients. S/he must also have a workshop in Paris and employ at least 20 tailors. At the same time, s/he has to present two collections annually (one in January and the other in July), which comprise both daily wear and formal evening wear.
The most famous fashion houses that are renowned for their Haute Couture are Christian Dior, Chanel, Valentino and Elie Saab. These days those and many others present their autumn and winter collections in Paris. Where? At one of the most luxurious places: directly within the shadow of the Eiffel Tower!
