What is “Haute Couture”?
Answer provided by Chanel: “Haute Couture” clothing is made to measure for a woman when she orders from a sample of a specific style shown in Paris at the “haute couture” collection. Ready-to-wear (Prêt-à-Porter), as opposed to “haute couture”, is just that: ready to wear. These fashions may need alteration, but are immediately available to any customer who wishes to buy them. Only certain fashion houses are allowed by law to use the term “haute couture.” Twice a year they must present to the press in Paris, a collection of a minimum of 50 pieces, for day and evening. The collection must be made in their own workrooms with 20 or more workers, and they must show the collection in-house, in dedicated salons. CHANEL Boutiques and various department and specialty stores carry ready-to-wear fashions. “Haute Couture” clothing is produced in the workrooms of CHANEL in Paris, and the samples travel to the U.S. twice per year: usually to New York.
