Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The Opulence And Exclusivity Of Couture Fashion

By Tammie Caldwell


A term that can literally be translated from the French as sewing or dressmaking has come to mean so much more. When the French word haute is placed in front of it, it refers to an excellence in the making of garments. Couture fashion is often made largely by hand and great attention is paid to every detail. Exclusive clients expect a perfect fit for the prices they are prepared to pay.

There is a long history in France of such excellence in making garments. High-class Parisians wanted to wear dresses that no-one else was wearing so they could stand out from the competition. The label retains this aura of exclusivity and opulence today. It can only be used by select designers who adhere to certain conditions.

Design houses must belong a particular organization in Paris and employ 15 or more people. They are required to present their collections twice a year and show at least 35 outfits, including both daytime and evening wear. Pierre Cardin, Coco Chanel, Elie Saab, Jean-Paul Gautier and Christian Dior are amongst the fashion giants who belong to this syndicate.

In making these garments, the designers use exquisite fabrics such as cashmere, leather, fine wools and silks. Great attention is paid to cutting and fitting the garment for a special client. After this, many hours are spent creating it and a number of people may work on a certain garment at one time. Some garments are created specifically for models to wear as part of a collection.

The originality, quality materials and excellence of workmanship all contribute to the high prices charged for such garments. They are only affordable to a very small, select clientele. However, the high profile clients and fashion shows garner much publicity for the brands, and this helps promote their other ranges that are more profitable.

Ready-to-wear ranges are sold in department stores and boutiques. These garments reflect the signature looks of a particular brand without the extremely high price tags. They still offer good quality and style at more affordable prices. It is these garments as well as accessories like hats, bags, jewellery and perfumes that generate the money for the brand. Huge volumes of such items are often sold.

People look to the top designers to introduce changes in fashions. Each season they come up with new looks for their collections. They present these collections at shows held in Milan, New York, London and Paris. The latest fashions are revealed and the brand receives much publicity. Fashion bloggers, journalists and TV reporters as well as many celebrities attend such shows.

So, the practice of producing these exclusive garments continues. A few rich clients benefit from the service and privacy offered by such a system as well as owning garments that are made to fit them perfectly. The publicity helps to build the image of the brand, ensuring that their ready-to-wear ranges are in great demand. Those who love the styles but cannot afford the high prices can enjoy these garments and accessories like scarves, bags and perfumes at a price more affordable to them. Everybody wins and this is why such a system continues to exist.




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