A BRIEF HISTORY OF LUXURY

From Coco Chanel's humble beginnings in Deauville to today's fashion conglomerates, the practice of Haute Coulture still thrives in the current marketplace.

1889

Jeanne Lanvin, recognized as the French Ambassador of elegance, began what is now known as the House of Lanvin after making exquisite dresses for her daughter Marguerite. The dresses she made attracted attention of the nobles of her day, and the House of Lanvin was born. By the 1920's, Lanvin had moved her burgeoning business to rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, Paris, where her empire would grow to includeL mens-wear, furs, lingerie, home decor and fragrance.

1913

Gabriele "Coco" Chanel established her now famouse house in Paris. her use of jersey fabribc, unheard of and highly unusual at that time, coulped with her menswear-inspired designs earned her early success and a dedicated clientele. The house is noted for their tweed-box shaped jackets, quilted handbags, camelia flower, fragrances and the black and white cap-toe shoes. The House still occupies the same Rue de Cambon address that it did when Coco was alive and lived there.

1914

Cristobal Balenciaga, the famed Spanish Couturier opened his first Couture shop in Spain in 1917m and in 1937 on Avenue V in Paris. His greatest successes came after WWII when he introduced empire waists, sculptural dresses with stiff petticoats, broad shoulders and chemise dresses. Balenciaga was one of the first designers to have in salon shows.

1921

Guccio Gucci, creator of the bamboo handbag and metal horse bit logo, opened his first store in Florence. Gucci is noted for designing saddle-shaped handbags, striped webbing, the Flora silk scarf worn by Grace Kelly, and the suede moccasin with the metal bit. Although the company was subject to infighting and alliances, it grew into a global luxury brand until its downfall in the 1970's. A turnaround of the brand came in the late 1980's under the mastery of Tom Ford and continued enjoying global success with Creative Director Frida Giannini.

1946

Christian Dior, one of the most important couturiers of the Twentieth Century, launched his fashion house in the early 1940 when he sent out his first collection featuring prominent, rounded shoulders, cinched waists and very full skirts. He is noted today for creating designer licensing, the A-line, ethereal floral prints and trompe l'oeil detailing.

1947

The Marquis Emilio Pucci opened his couture house, and the bright, eye-popping abstracts were born. After being photographed on a ski slope in ski-wear of his own designs, a buyer from Lord & Taylor commissioned a ski-wear line. Within a short period of time his bold coloured designs achieved international acclaim. The Pucci line, was then and remains to this day, one of the most loved fashion houses.

1960

Valentino Garavani 'Valentino' returned to Rome after working as a design assistant for Guy Laroche and opened his own atelier. After showing his line in Florence, buyers from I. Magnin department store were so enthralled they bought the entire line and 'Valentino' was born. He is known for his signature colour red, his refined lady-like designs, extravagant fabrics, precise tailoring and his wealthy and royal clientele.

1961

The great Yves Saint Laurent opened his fashion house, often using tribal, ethnic motifs that invoked his Tangier birthplace. Noted for his invention of the "Le Smoking" tuxedo suit for women worn sans blouse, the trapeze dres, and for continuing where Chanel left off with the art of masculine in feminine dressing.