What is Haute Couture?

If you have any ties to fashion or photography, you have no doubt heard about Haute Couture.  It's original meaning has become blurred due to ready-to-wear companies using the term to describe their apparel throughout the world.  The original term is actually very specific and has legal protection in its country of origin, France.  The true meaning of Haute Couture is loosely translated into custom made to order for a specific client. Those companies in France that can legally describe themselves as Haute Couture design houses must first be approved by something resembling an American Chamber of Commerce.  There are a number of specific requirements that must be met each year for a firm to retain its status as a Haute Couture company.  As made to order clothing is less profitable than ready-to-wear clothing, a number of the once Haute Couture companies have abandoned the practice and no longer have that status.  The term Haute Couture has been diluted so far as to have loose meanings in art work itself now instead of just clothing, although legally, at least in France, the term is still reserved solely for made-to-order clothing.