How famous 19th century fashion designer Charles Worth made his wife Marie the first fashion model
How famous 19th century fashion designer Charles Worth made his wife Marie the first fashion model

Video: How famous 19th century fashion designer Charles Worth made his wife Marie the first fashion model

Video: How famous 19th century fashion designer Charles Worth made his wife Marie the first fashion model
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Fashion designer Charles Frederick Worth and his wife Marie Verne Worth
Fashion designer Charles Frederick Worth and his wife Marie Verne Worth

In the 19th century, the fashion for women's outfits changed rapidly. At first, these were Empire-style dresses, then bulky crinolines, then the ladies wore chic dresses with bustles. Perhaps the main trendsetter of the second half of the 19th century can be called Charles Frederick Worth … For several decades, the couturier amazed women and girls with his novelties. His wife and muse Marie Vernet played an important role in popularizing innovative dresses. It was she who, sometimes through tears and persuasion, agreed to demonstrate all her husband's experiments in public.

Charles Frederic Worth is a French fashion designer of English descent
Charles Frederic Worth is a French fashion designer of English descent

Charles Frederick Worth is often referred to as a trendsetter. He came to France from England in the 1840s. In Paris, he got a job in the shop of the fabric merchant Maison Gagelin. His future wife Marie Vernet also worked there. The girl tried on hats and shawls, showing them to potential clients.

When Charles Worth became a junior partner in the store, he invited the owner to jointly open an atelier and sew dresses. Gajelen refused the partnership, fearing to burn out in this matter. The fashion designer did not despair and, after sewing the outfit, invited Marie Verne to put it on and work in the store in this form. The result was not long in coming: the clients immediately showed interest in a beautiful dress and wished to have the same. In 1858, Worth's venture was financed by the wealthy Swede Otto Boberg, and the fashion designer gave free rein to his imagination, not thinking about where to find money for fabric.

Marie Verne Worth is the wife of Charles Worth and the first fashion model
Marie Verne Worth is the wife of Charles Worth and the first fashion model

One of the important roles in popularizing the ideas of Charles Worth was played by Marie Vernet, whom the designer offered her hand and heart. In fact, she became the first fashion model. Previously, it was not customary for ladies to demonstrate the outfits of fashion designers in public. This was done by male actors. They were dressed in suits and sent to crowded places in the hope that the clothes would interest potential customers. New items intended for women could be seen in the atelier or in stores on dummy dolls. If a girl showed clothes to clients, then she was called "Mademoiselle at the store."

Hats popular in the second half of the 19th century
Hats popular in the second half of the 19th century

A fashion designer in love with Marie, especially for her, invented outfits in which she walked around the city with him. The original dresses immediately attracted the attention of passers-by, and Worth was guaranteed orders. Marie herself was often embarrassed to experiment, but after much persuasion from her husband, the wife agreed. This is how Charles Worth introduced hats that exposed the back of the head and neck. When Marie appeared in such a headdress at the races, many ladies snorted with indignation. Fortunately, the socialite Pauline de Metternich liked the hat, so a week later she and her entourage were wearing hats ordered from Wort's workshop.

Pauline von Metternich is a socialite who shone in the second half of the 19th century
Pauline von Metternich is a socialite who shone in the second half of the 19th century

With the help of his wife, Charles Worth introduced crinoline dresses into fashion. Marie literally sobbed, refusing to go to the ball in a lush outfit and hair, decorated with fresh flowers. But, succumbing to the arguments of her husband, she again shone in society, providing the fashion designer with new clients. Charles Worth sewed outfits for nine queens, including dresses and famous courtesans, known as ladies of the half-world, ordered from him.

19th century bustle dresses
19th century bustle dresses

The designer had an inexhaustible imagination. When crinoline began to go out of fashion, in return Worth offered the ladies a dress with a bustle. It is believed that this idea was prompted by the housekeeper, who washed the floors, pulling the dress in front and plugging its folds behind the lower back. The tournure was an incredible success and remained popular for about 10 years.

The French Empress Eugenie is a lover of Charles Worth's outfits
The French Empress Eugenie is a lover of Charles Worth's outfits

Charles Worth dictated fashion not only for dresses and accessories, but also for hairstyles. Once again, Marie had a chance to become a "victim" of his experiments. Applying all his eloquence, the fashion designer persuaded his wife to cut her hair shorter and style it, and curl her bangs into small curls. And again, everyone rushed to copy the hairstyle of the trendsetter. At first, the French Empress Eugenie was afraid to part with her long hair and wore false bangs, but soon this conservative lady, obeying fashion, cut her hair and changed her style.

In the dressmaking workshop of the Worth Fashion House
In the dressmaking workshop of the Worth Fashion House

Charles Worth more than once radically broke the established views on fashion. The sons continued his work with dignity. At the beginning of the twentieth century, outfits became bolder. And in 1908, in Paris, at the hippodrome appeared girls dressed in "half-naked" dresses.

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