What exactly does COUTURE mean??

After some research I saw that:

Couture is a certain type of sewing. The most distinctive thing about couture sewing is the use of sew-in interfacings. No fusibles are used whatsoever. The couture garment has less wrinkles, has more body, and biggest thing of all, you can't seem the hemline through the garment. Underlining is a fabric that exactly duplicates the outer layer, is basted to it, and then the two are treated as one. The underlining provides a layer for all the inside stitches to be attached to. Therefore you can never see the hem stitches. It also supports the weight of the hem, so that it doesn't make a ridge on the right side. Basting, of course. everything is made in muslin first, hand basted for a fitting, then taken apart and the muslin used as the pattern. slip stitch for attaching things, pick stitch for zippers.

Thank you for enlightening us Leslie!!!!!

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Posted by Goldi1021

After some research I saw that:

Couture is a certain type of sewing. The most distinctive thing about couture sewing is the use of sew-in interfacings. No fusibles are used whatsoever. The couture garment has less wrinkles, has more body, and biggest thing of all, you can't seem the hemline through the garment. Underlining is a fabric that exactly duplicates the outer layer, is basted to it, and then the two are treated as one. The underlining provides a layer for all the inside stitches to be attached to. Therefore you can never see the hem stitches. It also supports the weight of the hem, so that it doesn't make a ridge on the right side. Basting, of course. everything is made in muslin first, hand basted for a fitting, then taken apart and the muslin used as the pattern. slip stitch for attaching things, pick stitch for zippers.

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Very good Leslie...(This is coming from a fashion design major )

Wow!! Thanks for the info Leslie!!!

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Posted by Goldi1021

After some research I saw that:

Couture is a certain type of sewing. The most distinctive thing about couture sewing is the use of sew-in interfacings. No fusibles are used whatsoever. The couture garment has less wrinkles, has more body, and biggest thing of all, you can't seem the hemline through the garment. Underlining is a fabric that exactly duplicates the outer layer, is basted to it, and then the two are treated as one. The underlining provides a layer for all the inside stitches to be attached to. Therefore you can never see the hem stitches. It also supports the weight of the hem, so that it doesn't make a ridge on the right side. Basting, of course. everything is made in muslin first, hand basted for a fitting, then taken apart and the muslin used as the pattern. slip stitch for attaching things, pick stitch for zippers.

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Leslie, THANKS!!! But I still dont get it

My gown is couture and seems to me couture means.....Pay more Money $$$

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Posted by CTarantino

My gown is couture and seems to me couture means.....Pay more Money $$$

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THATS FOR SURE........

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Posted by JeanineHubert

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Posted by Goldi1021

After some research I saw that:

Couture is a certain type of sewing. The most distinctive thing about couture sewing is the use of sew-in interfacings. No fusibles are used whatsoever. The couture garment has less wrinkles, has more body, and biggest thing of all, you can't seem the hemline through the garment. Underlining is a fabric that exactly duplicates the outer layer, is basted to it, and then the two are treated as one. The underlining provides a layer for all the inside stitches to be attached to. Therefore you can never see the hem stitches. It also supports the weight of the hem, so that it doesn't make a ridge on the right side. Basting, of course. everything is made in muslin first, hand basted for a fitting, then taken apart and the muslin used as the pattern. slip stitch for attaching things, pick stitch for zippers.

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Very good Leslie...(This is coming from a fashion design major )

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I must say that I just Googled it. I am not that well versed in fashion.

The term 'haute couture' is French. Haute means 'high' or 'elegant.' Couture literally means 'sewing,' but has come to indicate the business of designing, creating, and selling custom-made, high fashion women's clothes.

Strict Regulations


To be called a haute couture house, a business must belong to the Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture in Paris, which is regulated by the French Department of Industry.

Members must employ 15 or more people and present their collections twice a year. Each presentation must include at least 35 separate outfits for day and eveningwear.

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The syndicate has about 18 members, including such fashion giants as Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Pierre Cardin. The houses generate more than $1 billion in annual sales and employ close to 5,000 people, including 2,200 seamstresses. Workers often specialize in one area, such as feathers, fabric, buttons, shoes, etc. Before World War II, 35,000 people worked at couture houses.

Staggering Prices


Made from scratch for each customer, haute couture clothing typically requires three fittings. It usually takes from 100 to 400 hours to make one dress, costing from $26,000 to over $100,000. A tailored suit starts at $16,000, an evening gown at $60,000.

A Small Market


Today only 2,000 women in the world buy couture clothes; 60% are American. Only 200 are regular customers. Often, designers will loan clothes to movie stars or other public figures for publicity.

During fashion's 'golden age,' after World War II, some 15,000 women wore couture. Socialites such as the Duchess of Windsor, Babe Paley, and Gloria Guiness would order whole collections at a time.

Despite the small market, designers maintain haute couture operations partly because the prestige helps sell other products, such as perfume, cosmetics, and their ready-to-wear lines available in stores.