What is haute couture?

claireshaeffer

claireshaeffer

VFG Member
I just returned from a shopping trip on the Internet. This is always frustrating because there is so much garbage labeled couture so I type in haute couture to filter out some of it. It's still a mess so let me explain how you can tell whether it's haute couture by the label.

Here are some things it is not:
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Chanel Boutique, Dior Boutique or anybody else boutique
Chanel Creations
a custom clothier who considers his or her work couture
Juicy Couture
almost never lingerie
garment will not have a size label and frequently doesn't have a care label.

The Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel couture labels have only the name on it. YSL will also have a number.

If you have garments that you think are haute couture and have no label, include a good close-up photo of a seam. The finish on the seam will identify it If you can't tell from the finish, I can. This is a service offered free to Vintage Fashion Guild members who probably already know anyway.

So, if you are not a member of VFG, think before you list. Listing a non-couture garment as couture is a red flag that indicates you have not educated yourself.

When listing "couture" garments, show a label. It will help you sell more garments and save time when people like me come along.

Read my book-Couture Sewing Techniques--you don't have to buy it; your local library can get it if they don't have a copy.
 
Excellent.

So as not to take away from Claire's post I will be posting a link to a recent interesting article on labels.
 
Thank you, Claire! I get SO frustrated seeing RTW items labeled "couture" or "haute couture...." There are lovely high-end pieces with wonderful workmanship that will be appreciated in their own right without having to label them couture when they are not.

I recently wrote to a seller who had a mid-range, ready-to-wear vintage dress listed as "haute couture." I asked several questions about the garment, she responded, and I politely told her that, in my opinion, the dress was not haute couture. Of course, I knew it wasn't even before I wrote, due to the brand, but I wanted to see why she was calling the dress haute couture. So, now she has it listed as "couture." Oh, boy..... I just gave up. I have not had much experience with couture garments; however, I know what it isn't!
 
Thanks so much for this list. I'm curious about the care label. How often have you seen these in couture garments?

And yes, labels would be great.
 
Thank you. Authors are never happy. Books are too short, not enough diagrams, not enough photos, etc. Even though I would have like more pages and more visuals, different cropping, and so on, I'm happy with the revision. Revisions are difficult for trade books so I'm really pleased that the book is doing well and getting good reviews.

Many of the garments are mine. The Hanae Mori (grey and pink) in buttons and buttonholes came from CoutureAllure.
 
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