The Father of Haute Couture : Charles Frederick Worth.
- AmyHuntFCP
- Oct 13, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 12, 2020
For my second blog post, I will be looking at the fashion designer Charles Frederick Worth and how he changed the fashion industry.
So who is he? Charles Frederick Worth was born on the 13th of October 1825, in Bourne, Lincolnshire. At the age of twelve, Charles moved to London to become an apprentice at the department store of Swan and Edgar in Piccadilly, where his love for fashion started. Later on in 1846, Worth moved to Paris to pursue his passion for fashion design, with only £5 in his pocket! However, this did not stop Worth from achieving great things as by 1852 he was working as a sales assistant at Maison Gagelin, where he was granted permission to open a dressmaking department.
But how did he become the founder of the catwalk? In 1858 Worth opened No.7 Rue de la Paix, with business partner Otto Gustav Boberg. Together they designed ready-made fashions such as ladies dresses and mantles as well as selling silks, lace, cashmere and fur to the debutantes of Paris. It was here that Worth replaced mannequins with live models as he often employed women, such as his wife, to wear his latest designs in the hopes to expand his brand. It did exactly that! Pauline Von Metternich, one of the most famous women in Europe during the late 19th century, wore a gown made by Worth to a court appearance. Napoleon the third's wife, saw Pauline wearing the dress and summoned Worth the next day to meet her. As a result, Worth became the dresser to the Imperial Court and women of the Upper Echelons of society.
Worth is not only known for being a catalyst for the modern catwalk, as he is often referred to as the father of Haute Couture. Worth created new designs season after season, which eventually turned into the production of seasonal collections, forming the basis of fashion week. As well as this, Worth was known for his signature style as he created the designer label, being the first to sign his designs to represent the superior quality of his brand. During the 2nd French Empire, Worth re-designed the Crinoline, which was made out of silk and tulle to create a slimmer silhouette. Then in 1866, Worth introduced the "Princess Line" that was named after Alexandra Princess of Denmark. It consisted of vertical seams that slimmed the contour of the body, giving a sense of grandeur to the dress. Worth drew inspiration for his designs from the Coates of Arms and historic/folk costumes. This is evident in his choice of fabrics such as leathers and the use of Tassinari and Chatu fabrics.
Charles Worth impacted the silhouettes of the 19th century and in doing so changed the fashion industry entirely, from his use of live models to his seasonal collections. Therefore I question, if the fashion industry would be the same without his influence?
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Image Source: Illustrated by Nadar.
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