Gabriel and his wife, with the proceeds from their successful couture business, lived a comfortable, if not splendid life.

He has made his own clothes since he was 15 and even ran a small couture business after school.

Interior design has shot itself in the foot, like the couture business.

After several decades at the helm of his couture business, his client list is still growing.

But Choo, who had a family to support, was continuing his couture business, as it provided a steady income.

Jimmy Choo was allowed to continue his small couture business and handed a licensing deal that comes up for review in 2004.

Quintana, 27, found a career in curtains after moving to New York City to start his own couture business.

He is about as busy as he was when he started his couture business.

Couture in Crisis It is an especially delicate moment for the couture business.

Then he founded his own couture business in Manhattan.