haute couture

noun

haute cou·​ture ˌōt-ku̇-ˈtu̇r How to pronounce haute couture (audio)
: 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 Working with the maison marked her first time shooting haute couture. Amy Verner, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2023 The brands were able to blend Nike’s woven technology into the shoe while representing the haute couture nature of the fashion house Jean Paul Gaultier. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Nov. 2023 In recent times, the kilt has infiltrated more mainstream fashion trends, boosted by haute couture pioneers. Ross Kenneth Urken, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023 Over the past year, she’s pulled off some unforgettable looks, including a hooded sequin gown by Versace in Venice and a sheer Valentino haute couture number at the Berlin Film Festival. Alex Kessler, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2023 The pop star, who is rumored to have turned down Tom Cruise's romantic advances this summer, attended the Viktor & Rolf haute couture fall-winter 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday, July 5, wearing a top that could be a rather loud message to the Mission: Impossible star himself. Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 5 July 2023 The 41-year-old German designer, a Düsseldorf native, has already logged two stints at the label founded by Gaby Aghion as a resource for luxury ready-to-wear in 1952, when Paris fashion was still dominated by haute couture houses. Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2023 For Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of The Museum at FIT, some of these new versions reference the New Look, as created by Dior in 1947, and the ’50s golden age of haute couture. Véronique Hyland, ELLE, 5 Sep. 2023 Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield Have a Matching Moment in Valentino Pink — and More from Paris Fashion Week While Kendall’s runway look was as elegant and high-fashion as ever, Kylie’s glittery look — a custom Schiaparelli haute couture gown — came close to stealing the show. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 2 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'haute couture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, high sewing

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of haute couture was in 1908

Dictionary Entries Near haute couture

Cite this Entry

“Haute couture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haute%20couture. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

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