Heim, Jacques

Jacques Heim (1899-1967) was born into a furrier family and started out in the family business designing furs. In 1923 he took over the business and within a few years had added a couture department. He was an innovator in using cuttings of furs as one would a fabric.

Heim’s couture house opened in the Avenue Matignon in Paris in 1930. He also made ready-to-wear and in 1936 started a line for younger women, Heim Jeunes Filles.

In 1946 Heim started his own chain of sportswear boutiques. He was one of the early designers of the bikini, called the Atome, and he was known for his beachwear. In the same year Heim visited the United States in order to establish contracts with several US department stores for which he was to design collections. Another ready-to-wear line, Heim Actualité, was begun in 1950.

The House of Heim closed in 1969, two years after the designer’s death.

Written by VintageGent.com

from a 1940s mouton coat

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from a 1950s mink stole

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from a ca. 1957 suit

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from a 1950s fur

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from a 1950s bedjacket

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from a late-1950s/early-1960s cocktail dress

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from an early 1960s hat

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from a 1960s coat

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from a pair of 1960s shoes

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from a 1960s signature silk scarf

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from a 1965 silk tie

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from a 1960s coat

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from a 1960s haute couture linen ensemble

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