Couturiers

/kuːˌtʊriˈeɪz/ noun

Definition

Plural of 'couturier'; multiple male fashion designers or fashion designers in general, especially those who create haute couture.

Etymology

French plural of 'couturier,' formed by adding '-s'; entered English in the 19th century as Paris fashion industry became dominant in global culture.

Kelly Says

Famous couturiers like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Jean-Paul Gaultier essentially invented modern fashion—they didn't just sew clothes, they created entire visions of how humans should dress and move.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Masculine plural of couturier; conventionally defaulted to represent all designers until explicitly feminized, reinforcing the assumption that fashion design authority belonged to men.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'designers' or 'fashion designers' instead; if historical references require the term, clarify its gendered assumption.

Inclusive Alternatives

["designers","fashion designers"]

Empowerment Note

The default masculine form obscured the women who founded and led design houses; using neutral language restores visibility to figures like Jeanne Lanvin and Jean Muir.

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