haute couture

noun

haute cou·​ture ˌōt-ku̇-ˈtu̇r 

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

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

The designer and new creative director of women’s, men’s and haute couture collections debuted his women’s spring 2026 collection during the recent Paris Fashion Week. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025

The hat was in fact designed by Maison Schiaparelli, known for its avant-garde haute couture. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

No brand can call their work haute couture unless the French Ministry of Industry and the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), the country’s governing body representing the fashion industry, says so. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025

As the name suggests, the haute couture bar is designed by Dior, which has upholstered bamboo comfy chairs with a white and dark green toile de Jouy design. —Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

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