haute couture

noun

haute cou·​ture ˌōt-ku̇-ˈtu̇r 

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

also : the fashions created

Examples of haute couture in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Givenchy by John Galliano haute couture hat from fall 1996. —Amanda Harlech, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025

Gianni also used leather and silk extensively and, in a controversial move, applied plastic in haute couture. —Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Donatella’s debut haute couture collection took place a year and three days after her brother’s passing in the usual location: the Ritz Hotel in Paris, with the runway over the hotel’s swimming pool. —Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Naomi Watts and Kai Schreiber at Balenciaga haute couture fall 2024 Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images Schreiber at Balenciaga haute couture fall 2024. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, high sewing

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for haute couture

• candidature
• miniature
• photogravure
• rotogravure
• abjure
• adjure
• allure
• assure
• brochure
• cocksure
• coiffure
• contour