Why Is It Called Couture? The Meaning of Haute Couture

Couture comes from the French word for sewing or dressmaking, and haute couture literally means high sewing or high dressmaking.

Where the word comes from

According to Wikipedia, the term comes from French, and its first recorded use in English was in Arnold Bennett’s 1908 novel The Old Wives’ Tale. Couture is a common shortened form.

Who is linked with it

Charles Frederick Worth, born in Bourne, Lincolnshire, in 1825, is considered by many fashion historians to be the father of haute couture. He opened his Paris house at 7 rue de la Paix in 1858, was the first to use live models to present his gowns and the first to sew his name into his garments.

Why the term is protected

French law protects the term haute couture. A commission at the Ministry for Industry draws up a list each year of houses eligible to use it, so not every luxury brand can call its clothes haute couture.

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

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