Haute Couture - questions about the business

[bobbytafari]

Yeah I'm still new here, and yes I'm not sure this is the right forum, but anyway...
A runway show in Paris is quite a big investment, and I kind of wonder how much sense the HC shows make compared to the actual market size for HC.

So:

1. Does anybody know how big the HC market is when it comes to actual revenues (or how big percentage of, say, JPG's sales come from HC)?

2. What is the market trend? Are HC sales on the increase or are they declining? Judging from the rather wearable pieces from the S/S 06 shows, you might think that the number of potential buyers is growing. On the other hand the number of houses showing HC are down to, I think, 10, which might suggest that it's a falling market.

3. If HC shows can't be justified by sales, do you think the marketing upsides make up for that?

No, I'm not researching an essay or an article. I'm just curious.

 

[nqth]

I don't know. But with Chanel, Armani ... moving to Shanghai to show, I think HC still sell good. Of course, the publicity it gives for cosmetics and perfumes doesn't hurt.

 

[finalfashion]

I understand that there are only a few hundred couture customers in the world, and it's a declining market too... consider that every season there are less and less HC shows. You're right - now it's mostly for branding and prestige.