French word meaning 'high' or 'elevated,' used in English to indicate the highest level of sophistication or quality, as in 'haute cuisine' or 'haute couture.'
From Old French 'halt,' ultimately from Latin 'altus' meaning 'high, deep.' Entered English through fashion and culinary terminology, maintaining its French pronunciation and connotations of exclusivity.
When we say 'haute cuisine,' we're literally saying 'high cooking' - the term elevates food preparation from mere sustenance to an art form! The word 'haute' signals that we're not just talking about something good, but something at the pinnacle of its field.
Haute couture/fashion discourse historically centered male designers' authority while erasing seamstresses, pattern-makers, and design innovators who were disproportionately women of color. 'Haute' framed elite, male-gatekept aesthetics as standard.
Credit design labor and innovation. Acknowledge women designers (Coco Chanel, Donna Karan, etc.) as architects, not muses. Interrogate who 'haute' excludes.
["high fashion","elite design"]
Women's design innovation in fashion predates and shaped haute couture; many remain uncredited. Contemporary fashion justly centers BIPOC and queer designers.
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