Haute couture

Haute couture (French for 'high sewing') is a common term for custom-fitted clothing as produced in Paris and imitated in other fashion capitals such as New York, London, and Milan. Haute couture is not only made-to-order for a specific customer, it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming hand-executed techniques. Sometimes the term 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.

Current high fashion houses

Belgian

• Ann Demeulemeester - one of The Antwerp Six
• Delvaux
• Dirk Bikkembergs - one of The Antwerp Six
• Dirk Van Saene - one of The Antwerp Six
• Dries Van Noten - one of The Antwerp Six
• Kaat Tilley
• Marina Yee - one of The Antwerp Six
• Martin Margiela
• Olivier Strelli
• Raf Simons
• Véronique Branquinho
• Walter Van Beirendonck - one of The Antwerp Six
• Xavier Delcour

Dutch

• Warmenhoven & Venderbos

French

• Elie Saab
• Balenciaga
• Chanel
• Christian Dior
• Givenchy
• Christian Lacroix
• Hermès
• Jean Paul Gaultier
• Pierre Cardin
• Yves Saint Laurent

German

• Jil Sander

Italian

• Armani
• Valentino
• Zegna

United States

• John Anthony
• Chado Ralph Rucci