A controlled French designation for fashion houses meeting specific requirements for made-to-order clothing and its presentation.
Haute couture combines a formal French designation with a tradition of highly specialized clothing made for individual clients. The designation is controlled, so its use carries a more specific meaning than a general description of expensive or elaborate fashion. Handmade work in house workshops is central to the practice, and skills are transmitted within the atelier environment. For someone entering the industry, the useful distinction is between the status of a house, the clothing it produces and the skills used to make or fit it. Experience with fine tailoring alone does not establish the designation.
In job listings
OTB Group’s Client Advisor posting in Vancouver described Maison Margiela’s offer as including haute couture alongside ready-to-wear and other categories. This gives the term a local client advisory context through the house description. The responsibilities were in retail. Search local jobs for “haute couture”.
