Alexandre Vauthier named member of the Chambre Syndicale

French designer Alexandre Vauthier has been awarded the right to use the haute couture appellation, a distinction administered by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

The commission met on December 16 at the Ministry of Industry and confirmed Vauthier as the Chambre Syndicale’s newest full-fledged member; previously he was only a guest member.

The "haute couture" term is a legally protected appellation, reserved for fashion houses on a list drawn up each year by the commission, with Vauthlier joins 13 other houses including Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel, and Giambattista Valli.

To be appointed a member the fashion house must meet a series of criteria, including the work done by hand in the designer’s studio and present a minimum of 25 looks per collection.

Vauthier has presented on the Paris Haute Couture Week schedule since January 2011.