Paris Haute Couture season starts Monday January 21st and Trendmill wants to help dispel the myths and answer the question of 'What is haute couture'?

The Definition: French : haute, feminine of haut, high, elegant + couture, sewing.

The History: The couturier Charles Frederick Worth (October 13, 1826–March 10, 1895), is widely considered the father of haute couture as it is known today. Worth, (through the House of Worth), would create one of a kind designs that when sold would be recreated to fit his customer. Those high end design would later serve as inspiration for the prêt-à-porter collection. (ready-to-wear or what you would find in stores).

The Players: Though many of the great couture houses of the past have been forced to abandon the practice due to costs, a handful still survive. Most notably; CHANEL, CHRISTIAN LACROIX, GIVENCHY, VALENTINO, CHRISTIAN DIOR, GIORGIO ARMANI PRIVÉ & FELIPE OLIVEIRA BAPTISTA.

The Buyers: The rumor is that Haute Couture patrons are as few as 200 women.  Baronesses, wives of oil tycoons and investment bankers. A common misconception is that celebrities are buyers of haute couture. Not true. Though they are often seen wearing couture on the red carpet 9 times out of 10 they are loaned to them.

The 'Why' of it all: It's certainly understandable that people question why someone would spend $100,000.00 or more on a single garment. What many don't understand is that haute couture are not dresses. They are works of art. These dresses aren't made of fabric bought on bolts. The fabric is hand made in the designers studio. The detail is hand stitched and the crystals and stones are of the highest quality. Once purchased the buyer goes through a series of fittings until the dress, as many couture owners have expressed, fits like a second skin. And most importantly, no one, ever, anywhere will own that dress. It is as one of a kind as a Renoir painting or an antique Chippendale chest.