Paquin, Jeanne

The House of Paquin was opened on the rue de la Paix in 1891 by Jeanne Paquin (1869-1936). The establishment was very successful and grew to be one of the largest fashion houses in Paris, with branches in London, Madrid, and Buenos Aires. Paquin retired in 1920 and passed on the design responsibility to her assistant Madeleine Wallis. After Mme. Paquin’s death in 1936, Ana de Pombo was house designer, followed by Antonio del Castillo in 1941, who remained with the business until 1945. Colette Massignac was the designer in the post-War years, and was succeeded by Lou Claverie in 1949. The young American designer Alan Graham followed in 1953. In 1954 the House of Paquin merged with Worth. Paquin-Worth was closed in 1956.

Mme. Paquin was famous for her use of vivid colors and extravagant furs. Her clothes were romantic with a touch of the exotic. Leon Bakst and Paul Iribe designed dresses which were made by Mme Paquin’s house. She was also famous for her luxurious lingerie and for dresses suited for the latest dance craze, the Tango.

Written by fuzzylizzie; updated by denisebrain

from a ca 1904-1909 evening gown

Courtesy of Rue de la Paix

from a 1908 walking suit

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from a 1910 warp-printed silk coat

Courtesy of ditzy dames

from a 1917 walking suit jacket

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from a 1930s evening dress

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions

from an early 1940s dress

Courtesy of gadabout

from a c.1950 ballgown

Courtesy of Augusta Auctions