couture

American  

[koo-toor, koo-tyr] / kuˈtʊər, kuˈtür /

noun

1. the occupation of a couturier; dressmaking and designing.

2. fashion designers or couturiers collectively.

3. the clothes and related articles designed by such designers.

4. the business establishments of such designers, especially where clothes are made to order.

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adjective

1. created or produced by a fashion designer.

   couture clothes.

2. being, having, or suggesting the style, quality, etc., of a fashion designer; very fashionable.

   the couture look.

couture British  

/ kuːˈtʊə, kutyr /

noun

1. 1. high-fashion designing and dressmaking

   2. ( as modifier )

      couture clothes

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Usage

What does couture mean? Couture most commonly refers to or describes clothing that was designed by a fashion designer or has that level of quality.Couture can also refer to fashion designers collectively, their profession, the clothes designed by them, or their businesses. Couture is found in (and can be used as a shortening of) the term haute couture, which refers to the world of high fashion and custom-made garments.Example: She’s known for wearing couture looks that are straight from the runway.

Etymology

Origin of couture

1905–10; < French: literally, sewing, seam < Vulgar Latin *cō ( n ) sūtūra, equivalent to Latin consūt ( us ) past participle of consuere to sew together ( con- con- + suere to sew ¹ ) + -ūra -ure; suture, accouter

Example Sentences

In the end, she had sent for her whole couture studio, and they had sewn him a jacket on the spot.

From Literature

Another eagerly-awaited show was from Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson, in his first haute couture collection for Dior.

From BBC

Alongside the permanent French couture houses, the federation invites guest designers from around the world who have both the skill and commitment to handmade craft that form the basis of the business.

From Barron's

Before the show, Anderson admitted in an interview with the Business of Fashion website that he previously thought couture was "irrelevant", adding that he never really "understood the glamour behind it".

From Barron's

In October, “Gala” entered the Top 40 on U.S. radio while its spacy couture music video reached No. 1 on YouTube’s trending worldwide chart.

From Los Angeles Times