Unit 5: Haute Couture
Define the haute couture market.
-2000 women buy couture. -200 are regular customers. -promotes other lines -used as a marketing strategy -fashion houses rarely make money -60% are American, approximately -lend to movie stars
What is pret-a-porter?
-French designer ready to wear sold at a lesser prices. -Still costly -influenced by designers but less expensive fabrics not as extravagant styles
What is demi couture?
-Ready to wear design produced by fashion houses but not mass produced. - not customized -no guarantee that five other people won't wear -cost is maybe $6,000 for an evening gown as compared to $60,000
What are the rules of the Chambre Syndicale?
-design made to order for private clients -one or more fitting -must have workshop -employ 15-20 people full time -each season present show with 35 looks for both daytime and evening wear
What is the level of workmanship of haute couture?
-it is the highest level of workmanship -uses highest quality of fabrics
What are the membership requirements to join the FFC?
-talent & success of designer -special commission -rules include codes of control copying, number of showings allowed, minimum number of original styles and collection -must employ 15 people or more and present their fashions twice a year with 35 separate designs for day and evening wear -produce more than a bill. dollars in yearly sales
What is the process of haute couture purchasing?
1. schedule appointment. 2. tailoring process 3. customer assigned vendeuse (haute couture sales associate)
How long does it take to make haute couture?
100-1000 hrs based on garment, design house
What is haute couture?
A branch of apparel industry that creates the most fashionable, expensive and exclusive designer clothing.
What are some of the larger known couture houses?
Chanel, Gaultier, Givenchy, and Dior
Who is the father of couture?
Charles Frederick Worth, 1800s, first professional clothing designer for women and the first designer to become internationally famous.
What is the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture?
It is an association developed by Worth and sons to determine haute couture design houses in 1868.
What is ready to wear?
Standard size garments made in advance and offered to any purchaser.
What is the role of Paris in haute couture?
The city of Paris. -known as the original fashion capital of the world and -the birthplace of haute couture
haute couture
The highest level of dress making.
Federation Francaise de la Couture (FFC)
The organization that regulates the haute couture industry. -formed in 1800 -must qualify for membership
What is a fashion house?
Where haute couture is made, mostly in Paris, named after designer or originator.
Where is the industry focus?
design, production, and sale of these garments
