News: Paris Haute Couture Show Fall 2004

“Made In France:” At A Crossroads
By: Mari Davis
Photo courtesy of Made In France

DALLAS, Apr 20, 2004/ FW/ --- Haute couture is the crème de la crème of French fashion. It takes about three months to create just one outfit; the design created in the atelier and the actual construction of the clothes is done in several places, i.e. it is sent from one artisan to another to do the beadwork, embroidery, and one-of-a-kind embellishments.

Everything is done by hand, which is one of the requirements of haute couture. The final outfit is NOT just something to wear. It is a work of art by itself, with hundreds of hours of work spent to reach the finished product.

Haute couture is made in France, an artistic expression and innovative qualities of the French.

Unfortunately, it is the last bastion of a fashion item “Made In France.” Its ready-to-wear siblings, both menswear and womenswear are predominantly manufactured outside the country.

To address this sad state of affairs, the “Made In France” exhibit was created and held at the Carrousel du Louvre last Mar 30 and 31, 2004 as a showcase of 150 French companies’ capabilities to meet the demands of the fashion industry.

With the main objective of “meeting those which create, diffuse and convey the fashion on the four corners of the world,” the event served as a meeting place between France’s prime contractors and subcontractors, establishing direct contacts between the design houses and manufacturers.

Now on its second year, the “Made In France” exhibit is making strides in promoting their homegrown industrial capabilities. As the Journal du Textile said, "By attracting 1670 visitors, the Made In France meeting place achieved its goals."