haute couture

noun haute cou·ture \ ˌōt-ku̇-ˈtu̇r \

Updated on: 1 Apr 2018

Definition of haute couture

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

See haute couture defined for English-language learners

Examples of haute couture in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of haute couture from the Web

But Chanel's presence at the retailer was often limited to fragrance, much to the disappointment of beauty devotees looking for the perfect haute couture lip.

— marissa miller, Teen Vogue, "Ulta Beauty is Going to Sell Chanel Beauty Products," 16 Mar. 2018
First by baring a single right leg in a voluminous Giambattista Valli haute couture dress at the Golden Globes, then in a thigh-grazing LBD by Redemption for an Oscars after-party.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "5 Times Kendall Jenner Proved That Killer Legs Are The Ultimate Power Move," 14 Mar. 2018
In the fall of 2005, the house did not produce an haute couture fashion show for the first time in 53 years.

— mary rourke, latimes.com, "Hubert de Givenchy dies at 91; courtly designer dressed Audrey Hepburn, built fashion empire," 12 Mar. 2018
Parisians are generally quite stylish, but that doesn’t necessarily mean extravagant haute couture outfits—instead, think casual chic.

— lily heise of context travel, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Essential Things to Know Before You Visit Paris," 26 Feb. 2018
Speculation is high that British haute couture house Ralph & Russo is in the running to design the wedding dress of a certain Miss Meghan Markle, the soon-to-be bride of Prince Harry, after the brand dressed her for the pair’s engagement photos.

— rhonda richford, The Hollywood Reporter, "Is Ralph & Russo's Couture Collection Fit for a Princess?," 23 Jan. 2018
While fashion hogs the spotlight in Milan, tourism—namely the fantastic range of hotels—deserves as much attention as haute couture.

— hannah seligson, Town & Country, "The Top 5 Hotels in Milan," 15 Dec. 2017
Yara Shahidi looked elegant in a coral lace embroidered dress with a leather belt from the brand’s spring/summer 2017 haute couture collection.

— lindzi scharf, latimes.com, "On the night before the Oscars, the stars shine bright at the Charles Finch and Chanel dinner," 4 Mar. 2018
The exhibit will feature 50 ensembles spanning five decades of her haute couture, beginning in her Golden Years of the 1930s and concluding in the 1970s.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "The modern fashion industry owes much of its thanks to The Kentucky Countess," 19 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'haute couture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.