Worth It

Today was a perfect day for a walk in Paris. My forty-five-minute walk was enjoyable as I passed the Louvre, went thru the Jardin des Tuileries to the Petit Palais Musee des Beaux Arts. This exhibition is about Charles Frederick Worth and how he laid the foundations of haute couture in Paris.

Worth was a legend. He started the house of Worth in 1858. He was the first to actually put a label with his signature/brand into a garment. His wife was the first live fashion model and his shop at 7 Rue de la Paix was in the tour guide books as a main attraction for people on their grand tour coming through Paris.

Worth loved drama, he was a favorite in creating costumes for ‘Balls’ and tea gowns worn to entertain in the gilded age…it is said he had a taste for historical references.

Worth wedding dress…

My favorite gown of the show was the ‘Robe aux Lys’. Ordered by a Countess GreffulheIt it was a tribute to illustrate a poem! Here is the dress and a photo of the countess in the dress.

Worth even ‘reused’ a ceremonial coat, a gift from Tsar Nicholas II to Countess Greffulhe! He made it into a modern cape with a velvet edge and appliqued lace flowers. He did love collecting and historical references…and knew how to upcycle!

The label continued with his sons Gaston – Lucien and Jean-Philippe after Charles death in 1895 and in 1950 was taken over by House of Paquin

This is an article I read prior to attending the show. I have also learned a great deal about the haute couture trades from Paris based Rebecca Devaney, Textile Tours of Paris.

https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/petit-palais-paris-house-of-worth-haute-couture-show-photos

On the walk back…simple food looking so good.