Paris Haute Couture Week, held from July 7–10, 2025, spotlighted extravagant, often impractical creations—think feathered headdresses, metallic armour, and gravity-defying silhouettes—sparking widespread curiosity among fashion lovers.

“Haute couture” refers to meticulously handcrafted, custom-fitted garments certified by France’s fashion authority, the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. To earn this title, fashion houses must operate Paris ateliers with at least 20 full-time staff and present a minimum of 25 original designs twice yearly.

These runway pieces go beyond clothing—they are creative showcases built to define a brand's vision, display technical skill, and spark cultural conversation. Their purpose is not everyday wear but crafting a brand identity and setting the tone for mass-market trends, which trickle down to ready-to-wear lines.

Sociological theories like Simmel’s trickle-down model and Veblen’s concept of conspicuous consumption explain this phenomenon: haute couture caters to elites and signals exclusivity, with elaborate, high-priced garments highlighting status.

Beyond function and status, couture is an art form—a runway gallery where designers express experimental ideas and craft. As designer Akshar Bhan noted, couture functions much like Picasso’s paintings: “you may not understand… it is to showcase a designer’s ideas and creativity”.