La Haute Couture

La Haute Couture

French 1

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What do you know/think you know about la Haute Couture?

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Can you think of any "high fashion" designer brands? List them here (or put NA if you can't)

Draw

Highlight/underline/circle the ones that you recognize

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What do you think is the difference between the lists?

Couture versus Haute Couture

​While they are all examples of “couture” (meaning sewing/dressmaking; synonymous with fashion), only list one and two are considered “haute couture” (high fashion).

In France, haute couture is a legally protected term saved for only the top fashion brands that qualify. 

What does La Haute Couture mean?

High Fashion

​Couture comes from "coudre" meaning "to sew" in French

Haute means ​"tall" or "high"

​

So, haute couture is high fashion (high quality clothing/designer)-in fact it is considered the highest form of fashion in the world

​The following video explains "la haute couture"

​The video is in French.  I know it is a little fast.  Feel free to slow it down if needed.  See what you can understand.

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What did you understand from the video? (as much or as little as you understood)

Multiple Choice

Vrai/Faux: Haute couture is specific to France and only exists (headquarters) in Paris

• Vrai (true)

• Faux (false)

Multiple Choice

V/F: Each haute couture outfit is “sur mesure” meaning it is tailor made, custom for that client as opposed to “prêt-à-porter” meaning ready to wear, which you can find several of in several sizes at a store

• Vrai

• Faux

Multiple Choice

V/F: There are different subcategories: permanent members (only 10-15, all French); corresponding members (from foreign countries); and invited members (luxury fashion brands invited to collaborate with haute couture brands on a yearly basis, NOT considered haute couture)

• Vrai

• Faux

Because the outfits are expensive to make (and buy), several haute couture brands have created ready to wear outfits for the general public to buy (we’re talking 10-16 thousand dollars an outfit though…) as well as bags, shoes, and perfume.  And they advertise all the time!!

​There are certain rules you must follow to be “haute couture” (set in 1945)

• You must have 2 “défilés” runway shows a year in Paris: one in January for the Spring/Summer collection and one in July for the Fall/Winter collection

• The outfits must be tailor made and hand made

• You must have a minimum of 20 employees

• You must have 25 outfits a collection (50 total for the year)

Multiple Choice

How many "defilé" (runway shows) does an haute couture brand have to have in a year?

• one

• two

• three

• four

Multiple Choice

The spring/summer collection show is in...

• January

• February

• March

• April

Multiple Choice

The fall/winter collection show is in...

• July

• August

• September

• October

Multiple Choice

You must have a minimum of ____ employees to be haute couture

• 10

• 20

• 50

• 100

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Qu’est-ce que tu penses de ces tenues?  (What do you think about these outfits?)

Pigalle fashion brand

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Qu’est-ce que tu penses de ces tenues?  (What do you think about these outfits?)

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Do you realize...

Looking at this outfit (part of their ready to wear clothing line, so not even the most expensive one-of-a-kind couture looks), if you click on the individualized items on the right, you can see the prices.

This outfit costs $19,675

Remember, this is for the public to purchase...

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How do you feel about haute couture? Would you purchase ready to wear items from haute couture brands? Do you think the outfits look good? Are they worth thousands of dollars? Write your thoughts here.