Haute Couture, known in Italy as Alta Moda, represents the highest and most rarefied expression of fashion. Rooted in centuries of European craftsmanship, couture is defined by custom-made garments, exceptional handwork, and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence. More than clothing, it is a living cultural heritage: a system through which knowledge, skill, and values are transmitted from generation to generation.
In this webinar, we will journey through the history and heritage of Haute Couture and Italian Alta Moda, from the rise of the great European ateliers to Rome’s unique post-war couture culture and its deep connections with cinema, art, and society. We will examine how couture evolved from elite dressmaking into a powerful cultural institution, shaping fashion far beyond the runway.
We will then explore where couture stands today, no longer the economic engine of fashion, yet more influential than ever as a laboratory for experimental craftsmanship, material innovation, brand identity, and cultural meaning in an age of speed and mass production.
Finally, we will look ahead to the couture of tomorrow: how heritage is being reinterpreted, how new technologies and sustainability are reshaping practice, and why couture remains essential to the future of luxury.

This webinar is essential viewing for designers, creatives, and prospective Master’s students seeking to understand couture not as nostalgia, but as a living, evolving force at the heart of contemporary fashion.

Stay until the end for an exciting Q&A session and scholarship details.​​​​​​​