L’Histoire de Mode~ “The Father of Haute Couture” pt. II
Much of his work is associated with the movement to
redefine the female fashionable shape, removing
excessive ruffles and frills and using rich fabrics in
simple but flattering outlines.He is credited as the first
designer to put labels onto the clothing he manufactured.
Worth gave his customers luxurious materials and
meticulous fit. Rather than let the customer dictate
the design, as had previously been dressmaking practice,
four times a year he displayed model dresses at fashion
shows. His patronesses would pick a model, which
would then be sewn in fabrics of their choice and
tailored to their figure. Worth became so popular
that he had to turn customers away. He was the
first courturier and considered more of an artist
than an aritsan. Worth and Bobergh shut down
during the Franco-Prussian War and re-opened
in 1871, without Bobergh, as the House of Worth.
He left the business to his sons, one, Gaston, of whom is
the Founder of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.
The House of Worth eventually closed in 1956 after
taken over by Jeanne Paquin.
His Work:
Edwardian Period
Charles Worth 1898
Charles Worth 1861
Dress for Maria Fyodorovna, 1880-1890, satin, silk
House of Worth, Silk English Dress 1886
Worth is also the creator of the Bustle
House of Worth also had a
successful line of make-up
and perfumes, some
can be found
today.
L’Histoire de Mode~ “The Father of Haute Couture” pt. I
Charles Frederick Worth
Although I’d love to just write about Mr. Worth to the ends
of Earth, this is afterall a blog & most people are like rats on crack so
I must keep it short. However, the link to the wiki page is connected
to his name. I am just going to sum it up for you right here. I was
obsessed with the man in college because of one of my
instructors, JS (I don’t know if I
have permission to
post her name).
About:
Charles Frederick Worth was born in England, 13 October 1825.
He worked for several London drapery shops prior to moving to
Paris in 1846. His big break came when he was hired by a famous
Parisian drapery house where he met his wife, Marie Vernet, one
of the houses models. (At this time models were used strictly for
draping shawls, hats, and other accessories of the time.) He began
making dresses for her & other women began to ask him to make
copies for them. Worth began using his wife as his in house model
in which she would be used for both samples and showings within
the boutique, as result Marie Vernet became the world’s first Super
Model (Take that Janice Dickinson!!). This gained him fame and
he caught the attention of Eugénie de Montijo a.k.a Empress
Eugénie, wife of Napolean III (the French emperor). Eventually
he made the garments for the rest of her court. The next patron
to his talent was Pauline von Metternich, Princess of Austria.
Patrons came from New York and Boston came to see his
work and buy them.
1930bychrisjackson 