The Father of Haute Couture
Ball Gown 1872
Day Dress 1883
Evening Dresses 1887/1892
Evening Dress 1893
Evening Dress 1898Continuing on from yesterday's post on Victorian Fashion, I found it somewhat impossible to continue without mentioning one of the most important fashion desginers in history, the so called 'Father of Haute Couture', Charles Frederick Worth.
Born in 1825 in England, Worth took his first steps in the fashion world as an apprentice for a textile merchant based in London. Whilst there he would gain an intricate knowledge of fabrics and supply for dressmakers. In London Worth also spent his time wandering through the extensive collections of the National Gallery. The historical portraits would serve as a major inspiration and influence for his own designs.
Worth moved to Paris in 1845, where he found work with the prominent French firm, Gagelin, who dealt with luxury textiles goods. He would quickly become their top salesman and eventually opened his own firm as a garment designer in 1858. With the restoration of the Royal House by Napoleon III in 1852, Paris was reinstated as Imperial Capital. As the capital, Paris would be host to a variety of State Occasions, the importance of which would bring Worth's designs into the spotlight.
Napoleon had a grand vision of Paris, wanting to modernise, but also make Paris the cultural showcase of Europe. As a result Worth repeatedly gained patronage in Court circles, his lavish attention to detail and fit were highly regarded and secured his place as top dressmaker. Indeed although he catered primarily to specific court clients, he also made general designs for his workshop, from which clients could choose a design to be custom made for them. In this way he had both one off pieces, but also more accessible pieces. This is not to say that he was only known in the higher circles of society however, by the 1870s his name was appearing in general fashion magazines.
The actual historic House of Worth was opened in 1871, when Worth reopened his workshop following the Franco-Prussian war. Unfortunately Worth died in 1895, however his work was continued by his sons, and the House of Worth would continue as a herald for quality and luxury. The House finally came to an end in 1952, when Worth's great-grandson retired from the business.
Currently playing: Spaz - N.E.R.D / SOS - Jonas Brothers
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Born in 1825 in England, Worth took his first steps in the fashion world as an apprentice for a textile merchant based in London. Whilst there he would gain an intricate knowledge of fabrics and supply for dressmakers. In London Worth also spent his time wandering through the extensive collections of the National Gallery. The historical portraits would serve as a major inspiration and influence for his own designs.
Worth moved to Paris in 1845, where he found work with the prominent French firm, Gagelin, who dealt with luxury textiles goods. He would quickly become their top salesman and eventually opened his own firm as a garment designer in 1858. With the restoration of the Royal House by Napoleon III in 1852, Paris was reinstated as Imperial Capital. As the capital, Paris would be host to a variety of State Occasions, the importance of which would bring Worth's designs into the spotlight.
Napoleon had a grand vision of Paris, wanting to modernise, but also make Paris the cultural showcase of Europe. As a result Worth repeatedly gained patronage in Court circles, his lavish attention to detail and fit were highly regarded and secured his place as top dressmaker. Indeed although he catered primarily to specific court clients, he also made general designs for his workshop, from which clients could choose a design to be custom made for them. In this way he had both one off pieces, but also more accessible pieces. This is not to say that he was only known in the higher circles of society however, by the 1870s his name was appearing in general fashion magazines.
The actual historic House of Worth was opened in 1871, when Worth reopened his workshop following the Franco-Prussian war. Unfortunately Worth died in 1895, however his work was continued by his sons, and the House of Worth would continue as a herald for quality and luxury. The House finally came to an end in 1952, when Worth's great-grandson retired from the business.
Currently playing: Spaz - N.E.R.D / SOS - Jonas Brothers
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