Redfern is relatively well known as an early couture and tailoring house, but the specific people involved, or their talents beyond women's suits and riding attire, are often overlooked when discussing the progress of fashion - which is usually distilled down into a few vibrant personalities and their innovations. Redfern's early years overlapped with Charles … Continue reading Redfern Ltd. (ca. 1855-1940)
Category: historic couturiers
Jeanne Adèle Bernard (1872-1962)
Maison Jenny is one of the hardest couture firms to learn about - but if you look through fashion plates and magazines, she is all over. According to a blog, Jeanne Adèle began working under Jeanne Paquin, and then under Béchoff David (another little-known master). Her own house opened sometime between 1908 and 1910; the sources … Continue reading Jeanne Adèle Bernard (1872-1962)
Louise Chéruit (ca. 1870?-1935)
Louise Chéruit (not Madeleine) is another of those couturiers that has been forgotten by historical chance, whose style and contributions are almost unknown today, despite the fact that she may be the only designer mentioned in Vile Bodies. Mme Chéruit, by Paul-César Helleu, ca. 1901 Unlike Pingat, we do know where Chéruit learned her trade - though … Continue reading Louise Chéruit (ca. 1870?-1935)
Emile Pingat (1820-1901)
For various reasons, certain designers have stuck in the collective consciousness as being the single greatest creative minds of their times. Gabrielle Chanel and Madeleine Vionnet are good examples: as you know, some hold them up as the only important couturiers of the 1920s because they're the two remembered couturiers of the 1920s. When it comes … Continue reading Emile Pingat (1820-1901)
Mimic of Modes 