Who REALLY does Haute Couture?

Who REALLY does Haute Couture?

The term haute couture is bandied around these days left right and center. But did you know that there is an actual list of haute couture designers that are sanctioned as such by France, and these are the only designers who are the true creators of haute couture. A bit like Champagne (any sparkling wines that don’t come from the Champagne region of France may not be labelled as Champagne but must be sold as “Sparkling White”.

So here’s the list (note that some of these names are great designers of haute couture from the past and are not currently in production). The list changes too, as those responsible sometimes give “guest” status to designers also:

Adeline Andre
Balmain
Chanel
Christian Lacroix
Dior
Dominique Sirop
Elie Saab
Emanuel Ungaro
Franck Sorbier
Givenchy
Hanae Mori
Jean-Louis Scherrer
Jean Paul Gaultier
Josephus Thimister
Lecoanet Hemant
Louis Feraud
Nina Ricci
Olcimar Versolato
Paco Rabanne
Pascal Humbert
Per Spook
Rochas
Ted Lapidus
Thierry Mugler
Valentino
Versace
Yves Saint Laurent

Did you know all those names? Any suprises on which designers are NOT considered haute couture?