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The History of Haute Couture
Tokyo
Tokyo@excapethematrix.com
We admire every piece of Haute’ Couture [oht koo-too r] we see. But, have you ever sat and thought about its history? Where it originated? Well…Haute Couture is a French phrase for high fashion. Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments. A model haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer's measurements and body stance. During the 1840's, many of France's fashion originated from England. It came as no surprise that the founder of Parisian haute couture was an Englishman by the name of Charles Fredrick Worth.
Worth was born in Lincolnshire, England around or about 1825. When he turned twenty with only 5 pounds in his pocket, Worth left his cashiering job in London to move to Paris to work for Maison Gagelin, a silk mercer specializing in ready made coats and shawls. While there Worth found his first wife, a model whom which would become the first person to model his designs. He then set up his first maison de couture [house of dressmaking] and it became Paris’s first true haute’ couture house.
By the 1840’s most Parisians reverted back to the "little dressmaker". Charles Worth, a great merchandiser and the first designer in Paris the present a collection of dresses. This collection could be ordered by his customers. Worth was also the first to use mannequins (models), because he could deliberately choose girls that resembled his customers.
Haute Couture has grown and attached the interest of so many magnificent legendary designers such as Coco Chanel, Givenchy, and Christian Dior. In which they have continued its legacy of Grace and style.