“It is not a little singular that Worth… should take the lead in what is supposed to be a peculiarily French art.” The Times, London
Imagine arriving at an opulent ball, the opera, or ballet in a horse-drawn carriage. Or, arriving at a palace to dine with European royalty at a table set with gleaming crystal and heavy silver, lit by hundreds of candles. For all these occasions and others (even leisure), your dress is of shimmering silk, satin and tulle, so long it trails the ground and so wide it is difficult to pass through doorways or sit in a carriage.
It was into this Parisian world that 21 year old, English born Charles Frederick Worth emigrated in 1848. He had £5 in his pocket, not a single French word in his mouth and a head full of audacious ideas. Ten years spent as a drapers apprentice had ignited a passion for fabrics and he was certain it was in Paris he could succeed.
Today Charles Frederick Worth is regarded by fashion historians as the “father of Haute Couture.” Even that lofty title does not capture his influence and revolutionary practices that established the fashion world as we know it today. Looking at the above portrait, it is obvious he was of a much earlier era, so one might be excused for being unaware of his impact on a society and a world foreign to us now.
Ambitious and talented he found immediate employment and met his wife (Marie Vernet) at Maison Gagelin, a Parisian fabric seller. However, he was frustrated with the constraints put on him. In 1858 he partnered with investor Otto Bobergh and located the newly formed Maison Worth & Boberg at 7 rue de la Paix, Place Vendome, where Worth would revolutionize the fashion world alongside other revolutions forming around the world.
Free to unleash his ambition and ideas, he did what is obvious now to any entrepreneur but unheard of then, he recruited the most influential person he could to reach his desired clientele – Princess von Metternich, wife of the Austrian ambassador to France. She happily wore Worth’s stunning creations to court attracting the attention of Empress Eugénie, who demanded an immediate audience with Worth. He quickly replaced the royal dressmaker, Madame Palmyre.
With royal patronage, other elites followed and Worth introduced his next revolutionary idea. He invited all his clients to his Maison where he staged the first live fashion shows (Worth’s wife, Marie, has been cited as the first professional model). Brilliant in its efficiency, it also provided the opportunity to describe the meticulous construction and new fabrics he developed. Clients could view an entire season of garments and fulfill all their needs at one time, in one place with a personal designer. Worth and Bobergh became the elite social gathering place, furthering name recognition and demand. Within the first decade, he was catering to most of the European royalty and courts. Americans, too, were ordering entire wardrobes from him.
To meet demand, his original staff of 50 grew to employ over 1,000 and the building’s eight floors centralized the entire production process. He was the first to identify and protect his designs by affixing a label, featuring his signature, to his garments. Worth’s branding and marketing made him the first designer influential enough to dictate styles. From the overly wide skirts of the 1800’s to Worths hoop skirt, the bustle, the princess line and more, the House of Worth modernized women’s wear — some stylish enough to be worn today!
Worth’s many innovations led to the formation of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, the forerunner of the organization that today defines and qualifies designers for membership. Led by Charles Frederick Worth and his descendants from 1858 to 1952, the House of Worth provided the foundation for others to follow. It’s true “worth” measured in vision, adaptability, innovation and commitment to excellence.
Today we no longer dress in volumes of fabric but your dress speaks volumes about you. It is most assuredly worth the effort to develop your Purely Personal style.
For a worthwhile consultation, make your appointment with Purely Personal today!
