Charles Fredrick Worth
Biography:
The English designer who dominated Parisian fashion through the late 19th century, worked as an apprentice and clerk for London textile merchants as a young man. He gained a thorough knowledge of fabrics and the business of supplying dressmakers here. He enjoyed visiting the National Gallery and other collections to study historic portraits, where the sitters’ dresses in the paintings would later inspire his legendary evening gown and masquerade costume designs. He moved to Paris at 20 years old, and became the lead salesman at Gagelin, a prominent textile firm that sold some ready made garments. Purchasing ready made garments was unheard of at this time, but Worth convinced Gagelin to allow him to open the firm’s first dressmaking department, and in so doing, contributed to the company with prizewinning designs. Later denied a partnership by Gagelin, Worth opened his own dressmaking firm, Worth and Bobergh, in 1858. When he opened the firm , the time was right for success as the Second Empire ushered in a new era of prosperity with Napoleon III’s vision for Paris initiated change that revitalized French economy, and the demand for luxury goods including textiles and fashionable dress . Worth’s most valuable patron was the Empress of Paris, whose tastes set the standard for French royal court, ensuring Worth as a popular dressmaker from the 1860’s onward. This gave Worth the opportunity to become a dictator of fashion and style, earning him the title as father of haute couture. After his death in 1895, Worth’s sons took over, and the house of Worth flourished until 1952, when Worth’s great grandson retired from the family business, ending the great fashion dynasty.
Designs:
1858
1865
1870
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