Paul Poiret, a French fashion designer, was a master couturier during the first two decades of the 20th century. He was born on April 20, 1879, in Paris, France, and died on April 30, 1944. Poiret's early life and career were marked by his apprenticeship with an umbrella maker, where he collected scraps of silk and fashioned clothes for a doll. His first design, a red cloth cape, sold 400 copies, and he became famous after designing a black mantle of tulle over a black taffeta.

Early Life and Career

Poiret's parents apprenticed him to an umbrella maker in an effort to rid him of his natural pride. However, this experience sparked his interest in fashion design. He took his sketches to Louise Chéruit, a prominent dressmaker, who purchased a dozen from him. Poiret continued to sell his drawings to major Parisian couture houses until he was hired by Jacques Doucet in 1898. Poiret's first design for Doucet, a red cloth cape, sold 400 copies, and he became famous after designing a black mantle of tulle over a black taffeta. He presented the Russian Princess Bariatinsky with a Confucius coat with an innovative kimono-like cut, which proved too much for Worth's conservative clientele.

Career Expansion

In 1901, Poiret moved to the House of Worth, where he was responsible for designing simple, practical dresses. However, his "brazen modernity" proved too much for Worth's conservative clientele. When Poiret presented the Russian Princess Bariatinsky with a Confucius coat, she exclaimed, "What a horror! When there are low fellows who run after our sledges and annoy us, we have their heads cut off, and we put them in sacks just like that." This reaction prompted Poiret to fund his own maison. Poiret established his own house in 1903 and broke with established conventions of dressmaking. He dismissed the petticoat and later the corset, making his name with his controversial kimono coat and similar, loose-fitting designs created specifically for an uncorseted, slim figure.

• Paul Poiret designed flamboyant window displays and threw sensational parties to draw attention to his work.
• He introduced "Parfums de Rosine," named after his daughter, becoming the first French couturier to launch a signature fragrance.
• Poiret's house expanded to encompass interior decoration and fragrance.

Poiret's marketing strategy was unmatched by any other Parisian designer. He fancifully christened his event "la mille et deuxième nuit" (The Thousand and Second Night), inspired by the fantasy of a sultan's harem. His gardens were illuminated by lanterns, set with tents, and live, tropical birds. Notable Works Some of Poiret's notable works include Long dress, which is now housed in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France. This watercolor painting features a dynamic interplay of colors, shapes, and lines that evoke emotions and sensations rather than depicting recognizable objects. https://WahooArt.com/@/Paul Poiret https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Poiret In conclusion, Paul Poiret was a pioneer in fashion design, known for his innovative and provocative designs. His career expansion and notable works have made him a household name in the fashion industry. As an expert in art and a salesman for WahooArt.com, it is clear that Poiret's legacy continues to influence the world of fashion and art.