Torrente was established in 1969 by its first designer, Rose Torrente-Mett, who opened her first Paris boutique on avenue Matignon. Prior to this, she worked with her brother Ted Lapidus at his design firm, before striking out on her own. In 1971 Rose launched a men’s ready-to-wear line. A leather collection, children’s wear, luxury accessories, and household linens were soon introduced. The Miss Torrente label was her women’s ready-to-wear line. Madame Torrente-Mett was elected a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in 1971. Her designs were known for their luxurious fabrics, embellished with embroidery and other handwork. Her popular fragrance L’Or de Torrente was introduced in 2001. The last grand dame still actively creating haute couture, in 2003, Rose retired. The Mett family revealed that it had sold its stake in the Torrente company to the Chammas group, a shareholder since 1985, and which had managed the house since March 2002. In 2021, the company filed for bankruptcy.
Written by Ranch Queen Vintage
