Haute Couture - which translates to French for high sewing - is the craft of dressmaking that has been around for over a century, functioning as the form of bespoke fashion that is intrinsically linked with the capital of fashion, France which showcases design and innovation to the umpteenth scale. Serving as a creative laboratory for designers to dream and create with no holds barred, these creations are often only gawked at by the masses, while a small percentage of elites get to experience these extravagant creations. Thousands of hours are spent creating a single garment, made only from the best materials money can procure.
Its slow and meticulous processes oppose the winds of today, where everything is fast-paced thanks to the dawn of technology. With Haute Couture's value system being heavily rooted in its commitment to tradition, fantasy and age-old craftsmanship, its presence within today's society is constantly challenged and comes into question. What does Haute Couture mean today and where does it fit within the bigger picture of the world?
The origins of Haute Couture reside in Paris when Englishman Charles Frederick Worth moved to set up his brand in 1858. Deemed the first-ever couturier, he transformed the world of dressmaking into what is known as Haute Couture, familiar to us today. Nearly a century after, the Fédération de la Haute Couture (FHCM) was erected in 1945 as a governing body that authorises the usage of the term Haute Couture and defines what constitutes the craft through a strict set of requirements that is continually upheld today. These factors coupled with the fact that Haute Couture is still highly regarded as an art form - account for the Fédération's official seal of approval's continued popularity.
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