Our history

At the origins of the Federation lies the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Founded in 1868 and then known as the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, des Confectionneurs et des Tailleurs pour Dame (Chambre Syndicale for Couture, clothing manufacturers and tailors for women), it became the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne on December 14th 1910. Following the decision taken on January 23rd 1945 relating to the creation of the legally registered designation of origin " Haute Couture ", it became the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. The only institutions to serve here are the ones that have received the designation, which those companies approved each year by a dedicated commission held under the aegis of the Ministry for Industry may become eligible for.

Over the course of the 1960s the movement of fashion designers who linked forces with the great couturiers emerged. Consequently the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode was founded on October 8th 1973.

On the same day the Chambre Syndicale de la Mode Masculine came into being.

The momentum generated by these three Chambres Syndicales led to the creation that same day of the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode. On June 29th 2017 it became the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

Haute Couture is a French exception and as the name of the Federation indicates, it lies at the heart of fashion’s ecosystem. Tremendously modern, it is a permanent gateway between a tradition for excellence in know-how and contemporaneity in creation embodying today manufacturing techniques that are at the cutting edge of innovation. The Haute Couture collections are presented twice a year, in January and in July.

Due to its extraordinary nature, it has been granted a special status. Since 2010, its official calendar has hosted the Finest Jewellery Houses that are affiliated to the Federation. This initiative allows for a synchronicity of presentations, but also enables the history of two sectors with exceptional know-how and both in a state of endless reinvention to be played out in sequence.

The origins of Haute Couture are attributed to Charles Frederick Worth who in 1858 founded the first true Couture House at number 7, rue de la Paix in Paris. Before that Rose Bertin, Marie-Antoinette’s « Fashion Minister » had foreshadowed it, being the first to start freeing up the female body, all the while adorning her creations with embroidery, lace and rose petals.

Following a decision taken on January 23rd 1945, the  designation « Haute Couture » became a  legally registered designation of origin.

Only those houses and companies that are approved each year by a dedicated commission run by the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture and held under the aegis of the Ministry for Industry may become eligible for it.

Its primary field of interest being handmade work accomplished within these Houses’ workshops, a laboratory for ideas and techniques, a space where creativity can flourish freely : this is Haute Couture, whose international renown has always remained true to itself and has contributed to making Paris fashion capital of the world.

Haute Couture stands out by the uniqueness of original models created each year, and the customization of these models which are then crafted to fit the client’s measurements.

Both Haute Couture and contemporary Finest Jewellery at times heckle and upset academic forms in order to move along with the times. They offer extra sensoriality and fantasy that are undeniable in addition to remaining true to the utmost modernity by being nourished by the latest technology.

Fashion is today an endless field of expression and creativity but also an industry composing a major pole of french economy. During Paris fashion Week®, the capital becomes one of the most important financial hub.