/elle-india/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/12/2024-12-12t050944592z-2024-11-18t092336231z-czebsydrcd4dzd67f1wr.webp)
/elle-india/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/12/2024-12-12t050944592z-2024-11-18t092336231z-czebsydrcd4dzd67f1wr.webp)
/elle-india/media/media_files/2026/01/06/arts-and-culture_marayacouple_en_static_display_728x90-2026-01-06-15-30-18.jpg)
/elle-india/media/media_files/2026/01/12/banner-2026-01-12-15-38-49.png)
Haute couture exists in a rarefied realm where fashion transcends function and becomes art. It is not driven by trends or seasons alone, but by obsessive craftsmanship, centuries-old techniques, and a belief that clothing can tell stories as powerful as any canvas or film. In a world increasingly shaped by speed and scale, haute couture remains defiantly slow, intimate, and deeply personal.
/elle-india/media/media_files/2025/12/18/arts-and-culture_marayacouple_en_static_display_300x250-2025-12-18-11-05-09.jpg)
From Parisian ateliers to Indian karigari-rich studios, couture today is a dialogue between heritage and imagination. Here’s a closer look at what haute couture truly means — and the designers shaping its most compelling chapters.
What Is Haute Couture?
At its most literal, haute couture — French for “high sewing” — refers to custom-made garments crafted by hand for private clients. In France, the term is legally protected, governed by strict standards set by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Each piece must be made-to-measure, constructed in an atelier, and involve painstaking handwork.
But beyond technical definitions, haute couture is about devotion. Thousands of hours go into embroidery, draping, beadwork, and fitting. Every silhouette is intentional, every detail deliberate. It is fashion at its most uncompromising; where imagination meets mastery.
Chanel: The Eternal Haute Couture Legend
No conversation about haute couture is complete without Chanel. Founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the house revolutionised women’s fashion by rejecting rigid structures in favour of freedom, ease, and elegance. Today, Chanel’s couture collections continue to honour that philosophy while celebrating artisanal excellence.
Under the creative stewardship of the house’s design studio, Chanel couture remains a masterclass in restraint and refinement. Feather-light tweeds, ethereal chiffon gowns, intricate camellia embroidery—each collection reinforces why Chanel endures as the gold standard of couture: timeless, recognisable, and forever aspirational.
Falguni Shane Peacock: Glamorous Fusion Masters
If haute couture had a red-carpet heartbeat, it would sound a lot like Falguni Shane Peacock. Known for their fearless glamour, the designer duo has carved a niche at the intersection of Indian craftsmanship and global showmanship. Their couture creations are unapologetically dramatic — think crystal-encrusted gowns, architectural lehengas, and silhouettes built for movement and spectacle. Worn by international celebrities and Bollywood royalty alike, Falguni Shane Peacock bring a maximalist energy to couture, proving that opulence can be both modern and magnetic.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee: Timeless Luxurious Fashion
Sabyasachi Mukherjee doesn’t chase trends — he archives emotion. From heirloom textiles and antique embroidery techniques to deep jewel tones and signature silhouettes, his work speaks to permanence. His garments are designed to be cherished, passed down, and remembered. In an era of disposability, his couture champions longevity — where luxury lies in depth, not excess.
Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Manish Malhotra, Anita Dongre
Indian haute couture would be incomplete without acknowledging the designers who have shaped its cultural identity.
Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla are custodians of craft, renowned for reviving and elevating traditional techniques like chikankari, mirror work, and gota patti. Their couture is unapologetically celebratory — rich, intricate, and deeply Indian.
Manish Malhotra has redefined couture glamour for generations. Seamlessly blending cinema, couture, and contemporary appeal, his creations balance sensuality with sophistication. His ability to make couture feel aspirational yet accessible has cemented his influence across fashion and pop culture.
Anita Dongre brings a softer, more conscious elegance to couture. Rooted in sustainability and artisanal empowerment, her designs celebrate Indian craftsmanship through fluid silhouettes, nature-inspired motifs, and a modern, feminine sensibility.
Rahul Mishra and Gaurav Gupta: Avant-Garde Innovators
Where tradition meets experimentation, Rahul Mishra and Gaurav Gupta are leading the charge.
Rahul Mishra is celebrated for his poetic approach to couture, blending hand embroidery with narratives inspired by nature, love, and human connection. As the first Indian designer to win the prestigious Woolmark Prize, his work champions sustainability, slow fashion, and artisanal livelihoods — making couture both meaningful and modern.
Gaurav Gupta, on the other hand, is a sculptor of silhouettes. His couture pieces are architectural, futuristic, and fluid, often resembling wearable art. With dramatic drapes and metallic finishes, Gupta pushes the boundaries of form, redefining how couture moves and exists on the body.
Embrace Haute Couture’s Luxurious Allure
Haute couture is not merely about extravagance — it is about intention, emotion, and excellence. It reminds us that fashion can be personal, powerful, and profound. In a fast-fashion world, couture stands still, asking us to look closer, feel deeper, and appreciate the human hands behind every stitch. And for those who step inside its world, the allure is irresistible.
Also read,
ELLE Insider: Gaurav Gupta’s First Bridal Couture Show, Where Fantasy Meets Forever
