Concept cars are introduced and shown during January, during the North American Auto Show. Haute couture collections for the spring season are also previewed in January.

Both are considered the ‘laboratory’ for their industries – the concept cars give car buffs a glimpse of the future while the haute couture collections show the fashionistas what are the upcoming trends.

Yet, haute couture according to some fashion pundits is dying, while concept cars are considered the wave of the future and car manufacturers spends thousands of dollars every year to make them.

And according to car manufacturers, concept cars DO NOT sell. In fact, they are not even sold to the general public. It is just for show.

And here is when and where the dichotomy between haute couture and concept cars begins, apart from their obvious differences.

To car manufacturers, concept cars are part of their research and development, which historically is a long-term investment for the car industry because although the design and technology might exist to make the concept car, the elements needed to put it in production do not exist yet.

Still, the amount of money and manpower spent to create concept cars are enormous. Good example are the GPS for motor vehicles, which was just an idea several years ago, and now a reality in all luxury automobiles and an ‘option’ for the other types of vehicles.

If car buffs did not see how ‘cool’ a GPS guiding system is, then the demand for it will not be created. Looking at it this way, concept cars are used to create demands for innovations that are still in the works.

Haute couture on the other hand is seen by a lot of fashion houses as a ‘losing proposition’ because the number of couture clients have dwindled to approximately 200 – 300 according to the latest count.

But, it cannot be denied that haute couture is the pinnacle of fashion, the ultimate luxury for fashionistas. And in a lot of ways, it is still the ‘laboratory’ of fashion.

Putting haute couture as part of the financial statement is turning out to be a double edged sword for fashion houses. If reports are true, then except for Chanel, Christian Dior and Valentino, most of the fashion houses are losing money when it comes to haute couture.

That said, it can now be concluded that in the end, fashion is an industry and a business, and like any business, the bottom line always counts.

Perhaps, the fashion industry should take the stand similar to that of the automakers with concept cars for haute couture. Because truly, if haute couture dies, like what the doomsayers are saying, it is not only France that will lose part of its culture, but also the world.

No matter how frivolous haute couture might seem to many, it is artistry and craftsmanship that makes it worthwhile. If the world loses that artistry and craftsmanship, then mankind will also lose part of its history.

The clothes that are created for haute couture collections might not be the Mona Lisa, but it is still art no matter how one looks at it.