Paris Haute Couture Week: Who qualifies, who shows and why it matters in fashion

A seamstress works on a dress design from the Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture collection in the Julien Fournie workshop in Paris. Photo: AFP

Four days of ultra-exclusive haute couture fashion shows is underway in Paris since Monday (Jan 26), but how is the calendar constructed and who gets to take part?

Only 13 houses hold the official "haute couture" accreditation, which is a legally protected term overseen by France's Federation De La Haute Couture Et De La Mode (FHCM).