Chanel Couture

Couture

noun

Definition:

1. fashion design: the design and production of fashionable high-quality custom-made clothes

2. high-fashion clothing: high-quality clothing made to order by a fashion designer

[Early 20th century. Via French - Late Latin consutura "sewing together"- Latin suere "sew"]

Encarta dictionary

The highest level of fashion. One can not just simply call themselves a couturier, but must meet the standards as defined by the Fédération française de la couture, du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode (French Federation of Fashion and of Ready-to-Wear of Couturiers and Fashion Designers).

• Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.
• Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time.
• Each season (i.e., twice a year), present a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirty-five runs/exits with outfits for both daytime wear and evening wear.
  
  

The federation was created in 1973, but developed from an older organization, the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture which was created in 1868. (wikipedia)

Chanel has released a video via New York Magazine showcasing the process of a garment creation from sketch to show.