Abstract
What does "Haute Couture" mean? "Haute couture" is a French term, which means high fashion. This expression refers to the elegance and taste of clothing (P. Paccaud, 2004).
France - and particularly Paris - can be considered the birthplace of fashion. It is the largest fashion center of the world (Thomas White Global Investing, 2010). Yet, the "Haute Couture" is more than simple fashion; it represents the fashion jewel and can trace its roots to Paris. Indeed, the fashion luxury industry is the heritage of France and French people are currently held up as the European model of elegance and fashion (V. Barnier, I. Rodina & P. Valette-Florence, 2005). Nowadays, the country tries to protect its advantage in the "Haute Couture" label; a certain number of formal criteria must be met for a fashion house to use the label and a list of eligible houses is made official every year by the French Ministry of Industry. Thus, the "Haute Couture" area in France is exclusive and protected by a professional union, the "Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture" (Modeaparis.com, 2010).
This essay contains a brief description of the Haute Couture area in France, and an analysis of the reason for this nation's advantage in this sector.
