What Is Couture Fashion Week?
Everything You Need to Know About Haute Couture
Image Source: Getty
The word "couture" gets thrown around quite a bit, but in reality it's a term reserved for a rarity of occasions. Haute couture is a name protected by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and limited to a select group who qualify for the distinction. Which is why the semiannual Paris haute couture shows, starting once again with the Fall collections, are such a brief and exciting period!
Houses including Giambattista Valli and Chanel (as shown above) create spectacles with ornate and intricate hand-stitched made-to-order work. So what techniques in particular should you be looking out for on the runways? Find out — and zoom in on all the embellishments — in the gallery!
Beading at Elie Saab
Image Source: Getty / MARTIN BUREAU
A Closer Look at Elie Saab's Beading
Image Source: Getty
Beading at Elie Saab
Image Source: Getty / Kristy Sparow
A Closer Look at Elie Saab's Beading
Image Source: Getty
Lace at Chanel
Image Source: Getty / PATRICK KOVARIK
A Closer Look at Chanel's Lace
Image Source: Getty
Lace at Chanel
Image Source: Getty / Julien M. Hekimian
A Closer Look at Chanel's Lace
Image Source: Getty
Pleating at Jean Paul Gaultier
Image Source: Getty / Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho
A Closer Look at Jean Paul Gaultier's Pleating
Image Source: Getty
Pleating at Jean Paul Gaultier
Image Source: Getty / PIERRE VERDY
A Closer Look at Jean Paul Gaultier's Pleating
Image Source: Getty
Feathers at Giambattista Valli
Image Source: Getty / FRANCOIS GUILLOT
A Closer Look at Giambattista Valli's Feathers
Image Source: Getty
Feathers at Giambattista Valli
Image Source: Getty / FRANCOIS GUILLOT
A Closer Look at Giambattista Valli's Feathers
Image Source: Getty
Embroidery at Valentino
Image Source: Getty / PATRICK KOVARIK
A Closer Look at Valentino's Embroidery
Image Source: Getty
Embroidery at Valentino
Image Source: Getty / PATRICK KOVARIK
A Closer Look at Valentino's Embroidery
Image Source: Getty
