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Charles
Frederick Worth, the designer who dominated Parisian fashion in the
latter half of the nineteenth century, was born in Bourne,
Lincolnshire, England, on October 13, 1825. As a young man, Worth
worked as an apprentice and clerk for two London textile merchants.
In addition to gaining a thorough knowledge of fabrics and the
business of supplying dressmakers during this time, he also visited
the National Gallery and other collections to study historical images
for inspiration in his romantic style of design
Worth relocated to Paris in 1845. Despite early struggles, he found work with Gagelin, a prominent firm that sold textile goods, shawls, and some ready-made garments. Worth became Gagelin’s leading salesman and eventually opened a small dressmaking department for the company, his first position as a professional dressmaker. He contributed to the reputation of the firm with prize-winning designs displayed in the Great Exhibition in London (1851) and the Exposition Universelle in Paris (1855). Worth opened his own firm with a business partner in 1858.
Worth’s
rise as a designer coincided with the establishment of the Second
Empire in France. The restoration of a royal house in 1852, with
Napoleon III (1808–1873) as the new emperor, once again made Paris
an imperial capital and the setting for numerous state occasions.
Napoleon III implemented a grand vision for both Paris and France,
initiating changes and modernization that revitalized the French
economy and made Paris into a showpiece of Europe. The demand for
luxury goods, including textiles and fashionable dress, reached
levels that had not been seen since before the French Revolution
(1789–99). When Napoleon III married Empress Eugénie (1826–1920),
her tastes set the style at court The empress’ patronage ensured
Worth’s success as a popular dressmaker from the 1860s onward.
The
large number of surviving Worth garments in the permanent collection
of The Costume Institute, as well as in other institutions in the
United States, is testament to Worth’s immense popularity among
wealthy American patrons, as well as European royalty and
aristocrats. Many clients traveled to Paris to purchase entire
wardrobes from the House of Worth. For the wealthy woman, a complete
wardrobe would consist of morning, afternoon, and evening dresses ,
and lavish “undress” items such as tea gowns and nightgowns,
which were worn only in the privacy of one’s home. Women also
looked to Worth to supply gowns for special occasions, including
weddings and ornate masquerade balls, a favorite entertainment in
both the United States and Europe. Worth’s clients also included
stars of the theater and concert stage. He supplied performance
costumes and personal wardrobes for leading actresses and singers
such as Sarah Bernhardt, Lillie Langtry, Nellie Melba, and Jenny
Lind.
Krick, Jessa. “Charles Frederick Worth (1825–1895) and the House of Worth.”
“The House of Worth: Portrait of an Archive”
So, something else that's been vexing me. I've been in a lipstick rut for a long time. I'm addicted to pinky-rosy-beigey lippies, and clear-pinky glosses and balms (like Bobbi Brown balm in Petal--love that stuff). But lately I've decided to branch out, try something that's scared me for a long time. Red lipstick.
