Only in Paris

We all have our pet peeves…people who don’t use their turn signal, close-talkers with bad breath, over-packers stuffing airplane compartments, etc. I am admitting to you one pet peeve that is at the very top of my list―the misuse and overuse of the term haute couture, especially by companies who know very well their goods are not.

By its very nature, haute couture is the ultimate in a custom fit garment―measured, created and fitted for one and only one body. It is not something that can EVER be found on a rack―unless you are in some insanely great vintage store and even then, it was made for someone else. To deem clothing haute couture, it must be created by a company that is included on the list given by the Chambre de commerce d’industrie de Paris each year. In France, the definition of haute couture is revered and protected by law. Each couture house must follow these rules:

-Design made-to-order for private clients with at least one fitting

-Maintain an atelier in Paris that employs at least 15 full-time employees

-Present a collection twice per year of at least 35 looks to the Paris press

When working in New York for Chanel, I had the pleasure of witnessing the construction of a couture gown for Julianne Moore to wear to the Academy Awards. It began at the couture show in Paris and Ms. Moore selected a gown she liked and the designer Karl Lagerfeld sketched the basics of the dress with her modifications. The first fitting took place in Paris, followed by several others in New York. The couture house’s top seamstresses flew over for fittings and after months, the gorgeous haute couture gown was complete (the picture below does not do the dress justice). It was then that I truly understood how fashion can be a work of art. And maybe one day, I too can own a masterpiece.