Grain

The alignment of fibres in a textile giving it a certain appearance and texture, a simple woven fabric has a grain that runs in two directions, with the wrap and weft having equal weight. Evidence of the grain can easily be seen by tearing a piece of cotton: it forms a triangular hole as the tear extends equally along both the wrap and weft. Different weaving methods produce different grains,such as twill, which produces diagonal ribs.

Direction

A piece of fabric typically has a right and wrong side due to the way the wrap and weft are combined.

Right side

The right side of this cord fabric features prominent parallel ridges that proceed in the direction that the fabric was woven.

Wrong side

The wrong side of the fabric has no clear pattern.

Heels

An element called a top piece that is added to the rear end of the sole of a shoe, lifting the back of the shoe away from the ground. The heel may be made of wood covered with leather or another material presented in a range of styles. Pictured is a pair of platform shoes(1993) in bright blue leather stamped with an animal skin pattern, designed by Vivienne Westwood.

Kitten

A low-height heel tapering to a point that is set forward.

Stiletto

A high, tapered, narrow heel, often containing a metal rod similar to a stiletto knife, after which it is named.

Court

A medium- to high-block heel.

Cuban

A broad, medium-height heel that has a slightly tapered back and straight front often used with boots.

Wedge

A broad, wedge-shaped heel that is an extension of the shoe sole.

Platform

A high and broad heel that is accompanied by a similar sole.

Haute Couture

  

Exclusive custom-fitted fashions that are the pinnacle of the fashion industry. Haute couture, which is French for high sewing or dressmaking, has become a global industry that drives clothing retail and a significant part of magazine sales. Haute couture garments are made to measure and are typically produced from high-quality materials, which are sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often by hand. Haute couture originated in 18th-century France when fashions of the court at Versailles were imitated across Europe. The modern industry was begun by Charles Frederick Worth(1826-1895), who created one-of-a-kind designs and prepared designs shown on live models. Pictured is an evening dress created by French designer Coco Chanel in the late 20th century.