Ready to Wear
Prêt-à-porter is a French term meaning “ready-to-wear.” It represents the category of high fashion that, unlike the bespoke nature of haute couture, is produced in a factory in standardized sizes and sold through luxury boutiques and high-end department stores worldwide. While still produced in limited quantities with a focus on high-quality materials and craftsmanship, prêt-à-porter is the primary source of revenue for luxury fashion houses.
These are the collections shown during the major international Fashion Weeks in Paris, Milan, New York, and London. The designs and trends that are showcased in these prêt-à-porter shows are what signal the direction of fashion for the upcoming season. These are the trends that will then be copied and mass-produced by fast fashion brands.
In cinema, prêt-à-porter is the go-to source for costuming contemporary, wealthy, and stylish characters. When a character in a film is meant to be a fashion-conscious executive, a chic art dealer, or a glamorous spy, their wardrobe is almost certainly sourced from the latest ready-to-wear collections of major designers. This not only creates an authentic character but also serves as a form of highly desirable product placement for the fashion brands.