Haute Couture – or short Couture – first appeared in Paris in 1858. The name itself is French and means exquisit craftsmanship or highest form of tailoring. Worth knowing is that Haute Couture is considered to be the impulse that originally gave French fashion its international importance. The name < Haute Couture > is a protected term. Much like Champagne or Parmesan, there are certain rules and circumstances that must apply to call fashion Couture. So if a house wants to present Haute Couture it is up to the ‘Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode’ which is an established French committee that goes back to 1868. The committee has certain regulations that a house must meet, reapply for and reproof annually. One of them is to create a minimum of 25 tailor-made looks with a staff of 20 full-time employees executing their work in Paris.

Couture Week Spring Summer 2024

Besides being a celebrity magnet Couture Week is also the season to spot the most extravagant street style. So that means glamour on the runways and in the audience. But let’s focus on the runways. There are certain houses that are simply tied to Couture and others that have proven themselves over time and are now a must-see. This year’s schedule featured Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, Giambattista Valli, Chanel, Ellie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier as well as Valentino, Fendi, and Maison Margiela. I liked the overall lightness and playfulness. And besides the outstanding hand-crafted details what I enjoyed most this season were the long lean silhouettes, the layering details and individual brand identity references. A real highlight was Fendi. Although Fendi is quite the Newbie to Couture Week I truly adored their presentation as well as the collection. And as much as swapping and merging designers and houses is a special skill of the fashion business this season took it to the next level. Simone Rocha partnered with Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano with Maison Margiela. The results are one of kind designs.

Find the full schedule via Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. For all looks check Women’s Wear Daily or Vogue Runway. And lastly – for a quick summary of my personal favorites as well as the available show streamings keep reading.