List of grands couturiers
Encyclopedia
A grand couturier is a member of the French Chambre syndicale de la Haute Couture
. The official criteria, designed in 1945, originally implied presenting a certain number of original models each season, created by a permanent designer, hand-made and bespoke
models, a minimum number of people employed in the workshop and a minimum number of patterns "presented usually in Paris". In 2001, these criteria have been relaxed. The number of models to be shown on a seasonal basis has been reduced from 50 to 25. Also, the official appellation can be granted by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture even if one criterion is not met.
Beside official members, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture officially "invites" each season some "guests". They cannot use the term "haute couture" but only the term "couture" and can become grands couturiers after 2 years.
The Chambre Syndicale also recognizes foreign grands couturiers who do not show in Paris, referring to them as "membres correspondants".
Haute couture
Haute couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. Haute couture is made to order for a specific customer, and it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable seamstresses,...
. The official criteria, designed in 1945, originally implied presenting a certain number of original models each season, created by a permanent designer, hand-made and bespoke
Bespoke
Bespoke is a term employed in a variety of applications to mean an item custom-made to the buyer's specification...
models, a minimum number of people employed in the workshop and a minimum number of patterns "presented usually in Paris". In 2001, these criteria have been relaxed. The number of models to be shown on a seasonal basis has been reduced from 50 to 25. Also, the official appellation can be granted by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture even if one criterion is not met.
Beside official members, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture officially "invites" each season some "guests". They cannot use the term "haute couture" but only the term "couture" and can become grands couturiers after 2 years.
The Chambre Syndicale also recognizes foreign grands couturiers who do not show in Paris, referring to them as "membres correspondants".
Members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture
- Carlota AlfaroCarlota AlfaroCarlota Alfaro is a high fashion designer from Puerto Rico. She is known as "Puerto Rico's grande dame of fashion".Alfaro showed a passion for design ever since she was a child, often designing clothes for family and friends...
- Adeline AndréAdeline AndréAdeline André is a French fashion designer and the head of one of the ten haute couture design houses in Paris.She was born in Bangui, French Equatorial Africa and studied at the School of the Syndicate Chamber of Parisian Couture...
- ChanelChanelChanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
- Christian DiorChristian DiorChristian Dior , was a French fashion designer, best known as the founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, also called Christian Dior.-Life:...
- Anne Valérie HashAnne Valérie HashAnne Valerie Hash is a French Haute Couture Designer.She graduated from the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in 1995, and designed for such other labels as Nina Ricci, Chloé, and Chanel. In 1995, she opened a small bridal business...
- Maurizio Galante
- Jean Paul Gaultier
- GivenchyGivenchyGivenchy is a French brand of clothing, accessories, perfumes and cosmetics with Parfums Givenchy.The house of Givenchy was founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy and is a member of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Pret-a-Porter...
- Stéphane RollandStéphane RollandStéphane Rolland is a French fashion designer and an haute couture fashion brand.-Early life:Rolland spent his childhood in the South of France, Argentina and the West Indies...
- Dominique SiropDominique SiropDominique Sirop is a French fashion designer and grand couturier.-Early life:Sirop's mother was a couturier's mannequin in Paris for the House of Paquin, and from seeing his mother at work Sirop got the ambition to make a career in the world of haute couture...
- Franck SorbierFranck SorbierFranck Sorbier is a Paris fashion house that achieved haute couture status in 2005.After working successfully for Chantal Thomass and Thierry Mugler, the French fashion designer Franck Sorbier, who was born in 1961, presented his first collection in 1987....
Invited members
- Lefranc Ferrant
- Bouchra Jarrar
- Adam JonesAdam JonesAdam Jones may refer to:*Adam Jones , also known as Pacman Jones, current NFL cornerback*Adam Jones , baseball outfielder*Adam Jones , English auto racing driver...
- Christophe JosseChristophe JosseChristophe Josse is a French fashion designer and an haute couture fashion brand.-Education:Christophe studied art history for three years in Paris, followed by one year in stylisme.-Fashion career:...
- Maison Rabih Kayrouz
- Atelier Gustavo Lins
- Alexis Mabille
- Josephus ThimisterJosephus ThimisterJosephus Melchior Thimister is a Belgian interior decorator and noted fashion designer who launched his eponymous fashion label, THIMISTER in 1997. In 2001, the editor-in-chief of Vogue USA Anna Wintour named Josephus Thimister as one of the twenty-first best fashion designers...
Foreign members
- Giorgio ArmaniGiorgio ArmaniGiorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company, Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a...
- Elie SaabElie SaabElie Saab , sometimes known simply as 'ES', is a Lebanese fashion designer.In 1982, Saab launched his Beirut-based fashion label when he was 18 years old. His main workshop is in Lebanon. He also has workshops in Milan and Paris.Born to Maronite Catholic parents in Beirut, Saab is self-trained...
- Valentino
- Azzedine AlaïaAzzedine AlaiaAzzedine Alaïa is a Tunisian-born couturier and shoe designer, particularly successful since the 1980s.-Biography:Alaïa was born in Siliana, Tunisia on 7 June 1940. His parents were wheat farmers but his glamorous twin sister inspired his love for couture. A French friend of his mother fed Alaïa's...
See also
- Haute coutureHaute coutureHaute couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. Haute couture is made to order for a specific customer, and it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable seamstresses,...
- Fédération française de la coutureFédération française de la coutureThe Fédération française de la couture, du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode is the French fashion industry governing clothing. The Federation was created in 1973, growing out of an older trade union , the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture parisienne which was created in...
- List of fashion designers