Who Actually Buys Haute Couture? Private Clients Explained

Haute couture is clothing made to order for individual clients, so its buyers are private customers rather than ordinary shoppers.

How it works

Wikipedia describes haute couture as exclusive, custom-fitted, high-end fashion design, with garments made to order for private clients, with one or more fittings, often in unusual high-quality fabrics and with hand-executed techniques.

Who the clients are

Historically, clients have been titled or wealthy individuals who commissioned custom garments. Worth, the Paris designer often called the father of haute couture, let clients choose a model, specify colours and fabrics, and have a duplicate tailor-made.

Why couture still matters to fashion fans

• The shows set the creative direction for houses and influence ready-to-wear.
• The craft, including hand finishing, is a showcase of technique.
• Houses must meet strict criteria set by French authorities to use the name.

Facts are from Wikipedia’s Haute couture and Charles Frederick Worth entries at the time of writing.

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