FÉDÉRATION FRANÇAISE DE LA COUTURE, DU PRÊTÀPORTER DES COUTURIERS ET DES CRÉATEURS DE MODE

   Begun in France in 1973 and derived from the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture parisienne (1868), this organization, also known as the French Couture Federation, is composed of approximately 100 members from the three branches or "houses" of the French fashion industry: the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture, the Chambre Syndicale du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode and the Chambre syndicale de la mode masculine. In 1975, the Union National Artisanale de la couture et des Activités Connexes (National Couture Craft Industry and Related Activities Union), representing couture dressmakers, became a member. Created by the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture in 1928, the Chambre Syndicale de la couture parisienne is under the umbrella of the Federation, providing training for the benefit of its members. The Federation represents companies with famous, worldwide brands from haute couture to ready-to-wear. It provides numerous services for members such as setting the haute couture, men's, and ready-to-wear fashion show schedules and coordinating the press list for those shows; initiating relationships with buyers, weavers, and subcontractors; collaborating with the French Ministry of Industry on new technology projects and working to defend intellectual property rights; producing agendas and official guides and maintaining a website with contacts and news about Federation members.