Charles Frederick Worth

The first fashion house to be set up was in 1858.

THE HOUSE OF WORTH

Born in England, later known as the first famous French designer. Charles Worth opened his first store in Paris in 1985, "The House of Worth". Unlike anything else of that time, Worth opened his store which had pre-made gowns on living models for the customer's to see.

Worth reinvented the world of fashion! Historically known as the Father of Haute Couture.
Due to lack of money in his family he was forced to work from an early age, his job a sales assistant in a department store, then at a textiles company, he learnt a lot about what Women wanted and needed. At the age of 20, Worth took a job at a fabric firm in Paris, where he could study design while he worked. Worth wanted to become a FASHION DESIGNER. Simple as it may sound today, in the 1800's fashion design was almost unheard of, gowns were created based on collaborations with the dressmaker and the person wanting the garment, their ideas based upon pictures of popular dresses.

At the fabric firm in Paris, Worth began introducing his idea of dress design to customers, it was the first time that ladies could receive the dress, design and fabric, at the same location.

With his knowledge of women's needs, textiles and his passion to create lavish designs, Haute Couture was born.

Two Evening Dresses

Silk Evening Dress

Silk and Pearl Wedding Dress

IMAGES FROM (http://www.metmuseum.org)

Historical Knowledge ( the rise of Worth as a Design was at the time of the Establishment of the Second Empire in France, Ruled by Emperor Napoleon III, Which saw the Royal House restored, which gave Worth even more opportunity to expand his business as the restoration of the Royal house made Paris the setting for numerous state occasions.

Charles Worth caught the attention of the Empress of France when the Wife of the Austrian Ambassador bought a dress from him. Worth soon became the Court designer, making dresses for European royalty. His phenomena soon spread to the Americas, he began making dresses for Famous and Wealthy americans also, such as the Astors and the Vanderbilts.