French for "high sewing" or "high dressmaking," haute couture describes a craft born in early 20th century France where the most talented designers made highly expensive, intricately tailored, made-to-fit clothes for a small, wealthy population.
The same holds true today, but how much should haute couture matter to regular folks who shop at the Gap? According to Washington Post Fashion Editor Robin Givhan, not much.
The Pulitzer prize winning fashion critic told us exclusively, "I'm not sure the everyday person should care about [Haute Couture] or even needs to. It's a rarified creative expression that speaks to fashion aficionados, historians, and the lucky actresses who get to borrow those dresses. I don't think couture is about the mainstream. And I think it's increasingly rare that ideas from couture trickle down to the level of H&M or even designer ready-to-wear."
She continues, "[Still] that doesn't mean it isn't valuable as an expression of beauty and creativity, as an example of what is possible in fashion. In the same way that the average person doesn't need to care about a Maserati or some other insanely rare and expensive car, there is still something impressive and awe inspiring about the masterful technology that creates such a machine."
She continues, "[Still] that doesn't mean it isn't valuable as an expression of beauty and creativity, as an example of what is possible in fashion. In the same way that the average person doesn't need to care about a Maserati or some other insanely rare and expensive car, there is still something impressive and awe inspiring about the masterful technology that creates such a machine."
In conclusion, she says, " I think couture is a celebration of the human imagination. Maybe that's meaning enough and reason enough to care. Because if you stifle the imagination, [we] diminish who we are as a culture."
