haute couture

noun

haute cou·​ture ˌōt-ku̇-ˈtu̇r 

: the houses or designers that create exclusive and often trend-setting fashions

also : the fashions created

Examples of haute couture in a Sentence

a fashion designer who's a renowned master of haute couture

Recent Examples on the Web

Versace began showing haute couture collections in 1989 at the Ritz hotel, and he’s pictured with the likes of former French President Jacques Chirac and Tunisian-French designer Azzedine Alaïa. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 June 2026

The crowd is all deep-pockets and haute couture, including fashion, tech, and media elites, press-shy billionaires, and ladies of leisure. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

The look was from the brand’s 1995 haute couture collection, modelled on the runway by Kate Moss with a bridal veil and bouquet. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 1 June 2026

Paris is the birthplace of haute couture, and Osaka’s Nike outfits are one-of-a-kind. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, high sewing

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for haute couture

• candidature
• miniature
• photogravure
• rotogravure
• abjure
• adjure
• allure
• assure
• brochure
• cocksure
• coiffure
• contour