Meet the Father of Haute Couture

Sometimes, you must look at the past to understand the present! Fashion has been revolutionized throughout the centuries and fashion has reached unimaginable heights. And for this the credit goes to… yes people you got it right, it goes to designers that dared to change things. Charles Frederick Worth is one such designer well worthy of our respect; after all he is The Originator of Haute Couture!

Born in 1825 in England, Charles Frederick Worth started his career at the young age of 13 as an apprentice to Swan and Edgar, selling dress materials and shawls. Later he moved to London and worked for Lewis and Allenby, and then reached Paris, where his story began in earnest!

Charles Frederick Worth               Marie Vernet 

Maison Gagelin of Paris, a fabric and accessories shop, was Worth’s next stop. There he met Marie Vernet who modeled shawls and she was to become Worth’s future wife and muse. Worth would make dresses for her that would go with the shawls and bonnets, and with time his garments were noticed and customers asked for clothes to be made for them too. 

Empress Eugénie

In 1858 Worth opened his dressmaking establishment along with Otto Bobergh, thus the name Worth and Bobergh. Luck seemed to have favored Worth because during this time Napoleon lll and his fashionable wife Empress Eugénie  were residing in Paris. Eugenie saw one of Worth’s creation on her close friend Pauline Von Metternich, and we all know how women are! Soon Eugenie became one of Worth’s favorite and most regular clients. Worth mostly catered to the crème de la crème; nobility was a regular with this designer. Worth and Bobergh was closed in 1870, but thankfully Worth was back the following year with The House of Worth.

A pioneer of several innovations in the art of dressmaking, he developed a system of interchangeable pattern pieces where a sleeve from one gown would fit the bodice of another one, all of which were designed in lavish fabrics. He also created the walking skirt by cutting off just enough material to cover the ankles without it being dragged in the mud. Jaunty hats were another of Worth’s notable creations. And probably the biggest trend that Worth started was to use live models to showcase the entire outfit and to also show a collection in advance, which has became the traditional norm today.

After leading a life full of fashion, Worth passed away in 1895 and the business was taken over by his sons. Worth created something way ahead of its time and he showed the world what fine sewing exactly is. Truly, he is The Father of Haute Couture!