The term “haute couture” refers to something different than what most people believe today. It originated in Paris in the mid-19^th century with the designer Charles Frederick Worth, after he began making custom-made, fitted dresses for women. Together haute, meaning elegant, and couture, meaning sewing, refer to the uniqueness of the garment, as haute couture clothing is made to fit specifically to the wearer’s measurements and stance. Today, fashion firms must make their clothes to a certain quality in order to call their clothing “haute couture.”