Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode

Summary

The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode stands as the governing authority for the French fashion industry, committed to preserving and promoting the heritage of haute couture and high fashion. With a focus on excellence, creativity, and craftsmanship, the organization ensures that Paris maintains its position as the global epicenter of fashion. It supports established fashion houses and fosters emerging talent, blending tradition with innovation to keep French fashion at the forefront of the industry.

Renowned for organizing prestigious events like Paris Fashion Week, the Fédération plays a crucial role in showcasing the artistry and vision of top designers to an international audience. This body not only highlights the unparalleled quality of French fashion but also sets benchmarks that shape global trends. By promoting sustainability, inclusivity, and collaboration, the Fédération continues to evolve, embodying the dynamic nature of the fashion world while remaining true to its timeless roots.

Vision

The vision of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode is to uphold and promote the excellence, creativity, and craftsmanship inherent to French fashion. As the governing body for haute couture and high fashion, it seeks to preserve the traditional art forms and techniques that define this prestigious industry while supporting innovation. The organization plays a vital role in maintaining Paris as the global epicenter of fashion, nurturing an ecosystem where heritage meets cutting-edge design.

Central to the Fédération’s vision is the encouragement of collaboration and the exchange of ideas among designers, artisans, and industry professionals. By fostering an environment where creativity thrives, the organization helps propel both emerging and established fashion houses toward continued success. It prioritizes sustainable practices and inclusivity, reflecting modern values while remaining true to the timeless elegance of French fashion.

The Fédération also strives to amplify the global reach of French fashion by organizing influential events such as Paris Fashion Week. These events not only showcase the newest collections but also act as a platform for innovation and discourse on the future of fashion. Through its dedication to excellence, heritage, and forward-thinking strategies, the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode ensures that French fashion remains an unrivaled leader in the world of haute couture and high fashion.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode is to safeguard, support, and promote the distinct excellence of French fashion on a global scale. It serves as a custodian of haute couture, ensuring that the exceptional quality, creativity, and craftsmanship that define this realm are preserved and celebrated. By fostering innovation and supporting both established and emerging fashion houses, the Fédération ensures that the unique artistry of French fashion continues to thrive while evolving with modern trends.

Additionally, the Fédération is dedicated to nurturing an environment that values collaboration, sustainability, and inclusivity. Through strategic partnerships, mentorships, and global events such as Paris Fashion Week, it provides a platform for designers and brands to showcase their work and connect with international audiences. The organization’s mission is to champion Paris as the fashion capital of the world while steering the industry toward practices that resonate with contemporary values, ensuring its relevance and leadership in the ever-changing fashion landscape.

History

Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode is the regulating commission that determines which fashion design houses are eligible to be haute couture houses. It presides over three associations, couture, womenswear and menswear. In official terms these are the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture; the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode; and the Chambre Syndicale de la Mode Masculine.

At the origins of the Federation lies the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Founded in 1868- as Chambre Syndicale for Couture- it became the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne on 14 December 1910. Following the decision taken on 23 January 1945 relating to the creation of the legally registered designation of origin “Haute Couture” it became Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. The only institutions to serve here are the ones that have received the designation, which those companies approved each year by a dedicated commission held under the aegis of the Ministry for Industry may become eligible for.

Over the course of the Sixties the movement of fashion designers who linked forces with the great couturiers emerged. Consequently the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode was founded on October 8th 1973. On the same day the Chambre Syndicale de la Mode Masculine came into being. The momentum generated by these three Chambres Syndicales led to the creation that same day of the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode. On 29 June 2017 it became Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

Its primary field of interest being handmade work accomplished within these Houses’ workshops, a laboratory for ideas and techniques, a space where creativity can flourish freely : this is Haute Couture, whose international renown has always remained true to itself and has contributed to making Paris fashion capital of the world. Haute Couture stands out by the uniqueness of original models created each year, and the customisation of these models which are then crafted to fit clients’ measurements.

Products and Services

The Fédération coordinates and enhances Paris Fashion Week and its offshoots including the official calendar of shows and presentations bringing together over 150 brands with recognized uniqueness. Brand applications are examined by a selection committee that guarantees the quality and diversity that are specific to Paris Fashion Week.

The Fédération educates its members- including powerhouse fashion brands- to promote French fashion culture where Haute Couture has a major impact by combining traditional textile craft and contemporary technology at all times and contributes to bolstering Paris as world fashion capital.

During the pandemic that fractured the global fashion industry, the Board of Directors of the Fédération de la haute couture et de la Mode announced that Paris men’s fashion week and Haute Couture Week would not take place. “The Federation is actively working with its members on possible alternatives,” the group said in a statement.

Skills are the core of the Federation. Deeply invested in creation, committed to companies and acting globally, it encouraged the strategic partnership between schools that influenced fashion in their own way. The ECSCP have embodied French excellence since 1927 and the IFM has been a pioneer in fashion management degree since 1986. Today, their union offers Paris a new school to shape fresh fashion talent.

“The union of the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale et de l’IFM provides Paris with a school whose ambition is to establish itself as the best fashion school in the world, relying on a unique trio, management, technics and creation, ranging from CAP to Thesis, including Bachelor and Master Degree, settled in a new innovative and open site, actively promoting social diversity, and at the forefront in terms of technologies and sustainable development” stated Ralph Toledano, President, Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

As a core element of an ecosystem resolutely geared towards the future, the Federation lies at the heart of the fashion industry’s changes and challenges. It provides members with a range of services in the sphere of legal, social, economic, technological, marketing and communication through dedicated commissions, ad hoc task forces or individual appointments with fashion brands.

It actively takes part in the expansion of the French ecosystem by providing emerging fashion brands with financial and organisational support, and the overall expertise they need to structure and ease their development and exposure. The support to emerging brands is one of the key missions of the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. It supports their development before and after their entry in the official calendars and contributes to increasing their visibility within an institutional, commercial, technologic and media network.

The Fédération also organises a showroom- Designers Apartment- with the backing of the DEFI: a committee for the promotion and advancement of clothing industries. And, to remain relevant today, it has a digital platform ‘New Now’.

Key Team

Currently, the Committee is composed of:
Bruno Pavlovsky, President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (President of Fashion, Chanel)
Pascal Morand, Executive President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
Francesca Bellettini (President and CEO, Saint Laurent)
Anouck Duranteau-Loeper, President of the Chambre Syndicale de la Mode Féminine (CEO, Isabel Marant)
Elsa Lanzo, President of the Chambre Syndicale de la Mode Masculine (CEO, Rick Owens)
Guillaume de Seynes (Executive Vice-President Manufacturing Division and Equity Investments, Hermès)
Sidney Toledano (Chairman and CEO, LVMH Fashion Group)

Awards and Recognition

The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode – as the governing body for the French fashion industry – is recognised for promoting French fashion culture worldwide. Its endorsement carries significant weight, as it curates and governs the exclusive list of haute couture houses, ensuring they meet stringent criteria in craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation. This recognition underscores Paris’ status as the undisputed fashion capital, where tradition and avant-garde design converge.

The Fédération’s role in organising influential events such as Paris Fashion Week has cemented its reputation as a leader in global fashion. These events draw worldwide attention, bringing together fashion designers, buyers, and media to experience the pinnacle of style and design innovation. Through its initiatives, the Fédération not only showcases French fashion but also sets a benchmark that inspires and influences the global industry, reinforcing its status as an indispensable figure in shaping the future of fashion.

References

• IFM Executive Director Sylvie Ebel Receives Légion d’honneur WWD
• Facebook profile of Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode Facebook
• Gaurav Gupta will officially be part of Haute Couture Week Vogue
• Twitter profile of Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode Twitter
• Paris Fashion Week Men’s returns to fully physical calendar Fashion United
• Instagram profile of Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode Instagram
• Bruno Pavlovsky elected president of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode Fashion Network
• Youtube profile of Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode Youtube
• Provisional Calendar 2023-24 Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
• Wikipedia profile of Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode Wikipedia
• Haute Couture SS24 Calendar Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
• French fashion federation gets re-branded Fashion United
• Paris Fashion Week: Haute Couture CNN
• Ackermann’s Gaultier debut and Balenciaga is absent Haute Couture Week Fashion United
• Paris Fashion Week Wikipedia
• London and Paris Men’s and Couture Fashion Weeks Cancelled BoF
• History of fashion week Fashion Week Online