haute couture
Exclusive custom clothing
Haute couture refers to the creation of exclusive, custom-fitted clothing by high-end fashion houses.
The term is French for "high sewing" or "high dressmaking." True haute couture meets strict standards set by the French government—garments must be made to order for private clients with multiple fittings.
More loosely, haute couture describes any expensive, fashionable clothing: She only wears haute couture.
Paved path for planes
- collectionGathered set of items
- gownLong formal garment
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
prêt-à-porter · ready-to-wear · catwalk · showpiece · fashion week · lookbook · editorial · presentation
Creative professional's workspace
- seamstressOne who stitches garments
- tailoringCustom clothing adjustment
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- beadworkStrung ornament craft
draping · patternmaking · toile · fitting · handmade · needlework · stitching · featherwork
Showy, abundant prosperity
- extravaganceExcessive, wasteful spending
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
sumptuousness · silk · satin · velvet · organza · taffeta · chiffon · brocade
French haute couture house
- DiorFrench luxury fashion house
- GivenchyFrench luxury fashion house
- Saint LaurentFrench luxury fashion brand
- BalenciagaSpanish-founded luxury brand
Purposeful creative planning
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- aestheticsTheory of beauty
- sculpturalRelating to carved forms
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
visionary · innovation · expression · conceptual · wearable art · draping · palette · texture
Made to individual specifications
- eliteSuperior select group
- clienteleCollective body of customers
- made-to-measureCustom-crafted to specifications
- one-of-a-kindHaving no equivalent
private showing · commissioned · fitting · privileged · rarefied · selective · unattainable · waiting list
runway
Paved path for planes
- collectionGathered set of items
- gownLong formal garment
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
ensemble · prêt-à-porter · ready-to-wear · catwalk · showpiece · fashion week · lookbook · editorial · presentation · season
atelier
Creative professional's workspace
- seamstressOne who stitches garments
- tailoringCustom clothing adjustment
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
beadwork · draping · patternmaking · toile · fitting · handmade · needlework · stitching · featherwork · pleating
opulence
Showy, abundant prosperity
- extravaganceExcessive, wasteful spending
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
elegance · sumptuousness · silk · satin · velvet · organza · taffeta · chiffon · brocade · tulle
Chanel
French haute couture house
- DiorFrench luxury fashion house
- GivenchyFrench luxury fashion house
- Saint LaurentFrench luxury fashion brand
Balenciaga · Balmain · Hermès · Lacroix · Paris Fashion Week
design
Purposeful creative planning
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- aestheticsTheory of beauty
- sculpturalRelating to carved forms
avant-garde · visionary · innovation · expression · conceptual · wearable art · draping · palette · texture · masterwork
bespoke
Made to individual specifications
- eliteSuperior select group
- clienteleCollective body of customers
- made-to-measureCustom-crafted to specifications
private showing · one-of-a-kind · commissioned · fitting · privileged · rarefied · selective · unattainable · waiting list · limited
- fashion aestheticscottagecore, dark academia, clean girl, mob wife, old money
- appareldresses, shirt, blouses, skirts, dress
- fashionfashion, clothing, apparel, attire, garment
- European cultureFrench cuisine, Italian art, opera, ballet, Renaissance
- fashion industryfashion, fashion design, fashion designers, fashion shows, fashion week
- fashion termsstyle, fashion week, runway, catwalk, runway shows
haute coutureready-to-wear
Factory-made standard-size garments
prêt-à-porter · off-the-rack · fast fashion · off-the-peg · store-bought
haute couturebargain bin
Discounted merchandise container
thrift store finds · no-name brands · hand-me-downs · rags · everyday wear