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A couturier is someone who is involved in the haute couture business and aids in the design, manufacturing, or sales of fashionable clothing.

Some famous couturiers include Christian Dior, Gabrielle Chanel

, Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint-Laurent.

Haute couture (French for 'high sewing') is a common term for high fashion as produced in Paris and imitated in other fashion capitals such as New York, London, and Milan. Sometimes it is used only to refer to French fashion; at other times it refers to any unique stylish design made to order for wealthy and high-status clients.

The term can refer to:

• the fashion houses or fashion designers that create exclusive and often trend-setting fashions
  the fashions created

In France, the label "haute couture" is a protected appellation. A certain number of formal criteria (number of employees, participation in fashion shows...) must be met for a fashion house to use the label; a list of eligible houses is made official every year by the French Ministry of Industry. The haute couture houses belong to the professional union the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

The French term for ready-to-wear (not custom fitted) fashion is prêt-à-porter. Every haute couture house also markets prêt-à-porter collections, which typically deliver a higher return on investment than their custom clothing. Failing revenues have forced a few couture houses to abandon their less profitable couture division and concentrate solely on the less prestigious prêt-à-porter. These houses are no longer haute couture.

History

French leadership in European fashion may perhaps be dated from the 18th century, when the art, architecture, music, and fashions of the French court at Versailles were imitated across Europe. Visitors to Paris brought back clothing that was then copied by local dressmakers. Stylish women also ordered fashion dolls from Paris -- dolls dressed in the latest Parisian fashions, to serve as models.

As railroads and steamships made European travel easier, it was increasingly common for wealthy women to travel to Paris to shop for clothing and accessories. French fitters and seamstresses were commonly thought to be the best in Europe, and real Parisian garments were considered better than local imitations. The first couturier to establish international dominance was Charles Frederick Worth (1826-1895.) Even New York socialites crossed the Atlantic Ocean to order clothes from Worth.

Following in Worth's footsteps were: Patou, Poiret, Vionnet, Fortuny, Lanvin, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, and Dior. Some of these fashion houses still exist today, under the leadership of modern designers.

In the 1960s a group of young designers who had trained under men like Dior and Balenciaga left these established couture houses and opened their own establishments. The most successful of these young men were Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Andre Courreges, and Emmanuel Ungaro.

Lacroix is perhaps the most successful of the fashion houses to have been started in the last decade.

Source: http://www.apparelsearch.com/Definitions/Definition_List_Fashion.htm

HOW TO DRESS IN HAUTE COUTURE

1. Step 1

   Find a haute couture outfit. It will most likely be a gown, but there are also haute couture pants, suits, tops and skirts. Most people who dress in haute couture choose a beautiful, one-of-a-kind gown from their favorite designer. Be warned that dressing in haute couture will cost you a lot of money. You will have to travel to the designer's atelier in order to purchase the gown.

2. Step 2

   Get the gown professionally fitted. Most haute couture designers reside in Paris, France or Milan, Italy. Since the haute couture styles are so unique and expensive, you will have to travel to the designer's atelier to be fitted properly for the gown as well. The designer will expertly make any alterations needed without damaging the gown.

3. Step 3

   Accessorize your haute couture gown. After all the fittings have been completed, accessorizing your beautiful gown is the next step. With such a unique outfit, you will have to have all the correct accessories. Wear your gown with expensive jewelry like diamond necklaces and gold bracelets. Your shoes should also be haute couture and finely made. Complete the look with a designer clutch bag.

4. Step 4

   Style your look. You can't just put on a haute couture dress and be done with it. Make sure your hair is perfectly coiffed in a glamorous 'do, and get your nails and makeup done by a professional.

5. Step 5

   Finally, attend a fabulous party in your haute couture outfit. No one buys a haute couture outfit just to put it in the closet. Make sure you wear your gorgeous outfit to a proper event like a ball or the opera. No doubt you will be the belle of the ball in your completed look.

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