Those stories were about '20s Chanel dresses, costumes from the Ballets Russes and an entire wardrobe created in the 1870s for a Roman princess by Charles Frederick Worth (the world's very first haute couture designer), bought for her by Lagerfeld.

WSJ: Anna Piaggi's Costume Drama

To protect what would now be called his intellectual property, Worth in 1868 founded the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to promote and market Parisian tailoring.

ECONOMIST: Which centre takes the crown?

Brands such as Etcetera, Carlisle, and Worth offer upscale clothing in a variety of styles, updated as frequently as any haute couture.

FORBES: Shop For High Fashion in the Comfort of Your Own Home