haute_couture.pdf
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Haute Couture is a much-misused phrase that actually has very specific rules for qualification. Translated literally, couture is French for dressmaking, while haute means high. These are garments created as one of a kind pieces for a specific client.

The Haute Couture is an offical club and members are selected by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. To qualify as an official Haute Couture house fashion designer members must complete the following requirements:
  1. They must design made-to-order clothes for private clients, with more than one fitting, (No mass production)
  2. They must use an atelier (workshop) that employs at least fifteen full time staff to produce their garments.
  3. They must also have twenty full time technical workers in one of their workshops.
  4. Finally, Haute Couture houses must present a collection of no less than 50 original designs — both day and evening garments — to the public every season, in January and July.

The designers in the Haute Couture world set the tone that every fashion designer is influenced by underneath them. Think about these designs not as garments to wear right off the runway but as painting or sculptures that can be collected and viewed. Members of the buying side of the Haute Couture, will attend the January and July shows, and choose pieces they feel could best be MODIFIED for them. They view these garments as investment pieces. Once the piece is modified for that specific client and that client wears that garment to a high profile event, fashion designers that produce clothing/designs for mass production (to be sold in department stores etc) see that design and take inspiration from it to create their own clothing lines. Trickle down inspiration if you will. 

However, as time has gone on, the point behind the Haute Couture houses has shifted. Most fashion houses (Dior, Gucci) actually operate their haute couture ateliers at a financial loss. They still keep them running because they are selling a LIFESTYLE. Its a huge PR (public relations) stunt, where the hope is that the shows influence the sales of the bag, shoe and perfume portions of their brand. 
Assignment #1:
Please answer the following questions in complete sentences in a new slide in your google portfolios. Use the information above or do your own internet research. 

  1. What does haute couture translate to?
  2. To be a member/qualify for the Haute Couture club, what are the 4 things a designer/ fashion house must do?
  3. What is an atelier?
  4. When a Haute Couture garment is bought by a client, what do they do with it?
  5. Why would a client buy a Haute Couture garment?
  6. How do the Haute Couture designs that come out every season influence the rest of the fashion world?
Assignment # 2

You are to create a mood board about your inspiration that you have been assigned. Source many kinds of images, you need at LEAST 10!

Example: For my design I randomly chose Paris, France from the bowl as my inspiration. 

I searched architecture, furniture, fashion, food, animals etc, anything that I could think of associated with my inspiration. 
Assignment # 3
You will create a haute couture design based on the theme you were assigned. It must include the following:

  1. It must be a complete original design head to toe. Meaning complete with hair and shoes.
  2. It must include a headpiece of some kind to enhance your design.
  3. The theme must be very clear when looking at your design. 
  4. The design must be completed (hand drawn or digital) and have an appropriate background.​ 
  5. It must demonstrate good work ethic and EFFORT. ​

Assignment #4:
There must be a 3-5 sentence paragraph placed next to your finished Haute Couture presentation board in a slide in your google portfolios describing how your theme is shown visually in your design.

​Example Description Paragraph:

My Haute Couture inspiration word was "Paris, France". For my design, I referenced the Eiffel tower for the construction of the garment. The skirt of the dress is sharply constructed mimicking the architectural structure of the tower itself. To complete the dress, the collar was inspired by a croissant pastry with its form and topped off with a red beret, a signature French fashion accessory. The extra pearl detailing references Coco Chanel a historical premiere Haute Couture fashion house. 
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