Ted Lapidus (1929-2008), a French fashion designer and the son of an immigrant Russian tailor, apprenticed at Dior and opened his own fashion house in 1951. He later opened the Ted Lapidus boutique on the Rue Marbeuf in 1958. He successfully bridged the gap between haute couture and ready-to-wear as in 1963 he was admitted to the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, and in 1964 he designed a ready-to-wear line for Macy’s, NY. In 1974 Mr. Lapidus opened his first boutique in New York near Bloomingdale’s, to be followed in 1975 by a store on Fifth Avenue at 53rd St.
Through the 1960s and 1970s he produced ready-to-wear men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. He became well known through dressing such notables as Brigitte Bardot, Françoise Hardy, Twiggy, Jane Fonda and John Lennon.
In 1982, Ted Lapidus retired and his son Olivier became the head at the House of Lapidus. The business was acquired by Jacques Konckier, who held the Lapidus perfume licenses, in 1995.
Lapidus label is now primarily known for its fashion accessories, watches and fragrances.
Written by Hollis Jenkins-Evans
from a late-1950s/early-1960s two piece suit
Courtesy of Lucas Martin Vintage
from a late-1950s/early-1960s two piece suit
Courtesy of Lucas Martin Vintage
from a two-piece 1980s suit
Courtesy of artisannes
from a 1980s silk dress
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1980s coat dress
Courtesy of thevintagevendeuse
from a 1980s sweater
Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage
from a A/W 1999 silk coat
Courtesy of Lucas Martin Vintage
