logo
Triumph and Tragedy in Couture: The Story of Paul Poiret as Told by Vogue

Triumph and Tragedy in Couture: The Story of Paul Poiret as Told by Vogue

Vogue07-07-2025
Paul Poiret in his prime, 1912.
Photo: Paul Thompson / FPG / Getty Images
A Poiret-inspired dress by Christian Lacroix couture, 2007.
Photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue, May 2007
We're hot with anticipation for the debut of Glenn Martens at Maison Margiela, as well as Demna's swansong collection for Balenciaga. But what makes the fall 2025 couture season truly extraordinary is the way past and present are colliding. Presiding over this changing of the guard and tipping point for the métier are Charles Frederick Worth and Paul Poiret, subjects of exhibitions at the Petit Palais and Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs, respectively. Worth, an Englishman, who established his house in 1858, and dressed the Empress Eugénie, is considered to be the first couturier. Parisian Poiret, who hung out his shingle in 1930, was deemed the first modernist couturier, and, argues Mary E. Davis in a forthcoming book, the inventor of 'modern luxury.'
Many firsts can indeed be attributed to the designer. A marketing genius, Poiret toured Europe with models, anticipating the trunk show. He commissioned artists to produce limited edition portfolios of his work, and he used his headquarters for community building, hosting shows and parties that created spectacle and a sense of occasion about his work. In 1915 Vogue went so far as to suggest that 'Poiret was first to dramatize the showing of a new dress collection.' He was early into beauty, establishing a fragrance business, Rosine, in 1911, the same year he introduced what we would call a 'lifestyle' aspect to his projects with the creation of Martine, a decorative arts studio. Vogue reacted to the latter development thus: 'Certainly couturiers have never before insisted that chairs, curtains, rugs, and wall-coverings should be considered in the choosing of a dress, or rather that the style of the dress should influence the interior decorations of a home. Such, however, now appears to be the case.'
Poiret's end goal wasn't necessarily to do things couturiers had never done before; rather his creativity was as expansive as his personality was big. His vision was total to the point of being absolutist. Because this was so Poiret's story is one of triumph and tragedy; he soared to heights never before reached and finally fell into obscurity. Still 'Poiretesque,' a favorite descriptor conjures sumptuous colors and textures mixed with jewels and fantasy and the picturesque.
Known as 'Le Magnifique' or the King of Fashion, Poiret was enmeshed in the waves of changes that were happening in pre-war Europe at the birth of Modernism. Like a sponge, he intuited and absorbed these shifts; and like an octopus he had tentacles in many pots. Poiret designed costumes, interiors, and textiles; he was involved in education (through Martine), gastronomy, publishing, art, theater, and entertaining. That he was nothing less than a force of nature was confirmed by one J M Giddings who, in 1913, told The New York Times that 'Poiret is to be reckoned with every moment of the time. His vitality is endless; it would take two or three lives to use it up.'#
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

5 Reasons Why the T-Shirt Dress Is Your Easiest Style Solution, Every Time
5 Reasons Why the T-Shirt Dress Is Your Easiest Style Solution, Every Time

Vogue

time18 minutes ago

  • Vogue

5 Reasons Why the T-Shirt Dress Is Your Easiest Style Solution, Every Time

Wardrobe staples are aptly named for a reason—their staying power is earned through their versatility. Some of the pieces that reside under this umbrella are the lived-in blue jean (no matter the rise or wash currently trending), the white summer dress, and the T-shirt. But there is a style that blends the best of both worlds, and that is the T-shirt dress. Vogue's Favorite T-Shirt Dresses Casual in spirit yet easy to dress up, the T-shirt dress has all the markings of a warm-weather wardrobe hero. The ultimate chameleon, its simplicity is exactly what makes it so wearable—it's essentially a blank canvas ready to be painted a hundred different ways. On its own, it gives cool-girl, effortless vibes for errands, weekend mornings, or brunch. Throw on knee-high motorcycle boots, and you're in your Glastonbury era. Wear it with a basket bag and a heeled thong sandal, and it's giving off-duty supermodel. You can accessorize with a silk scarf tied around the waist, toss a shell-laden pendant around your neck, or belt it for an evening out. Because it blurs the line between pulled-together and laidback, it works for almost every setting. Luckily, there are plenty of T-shirt dresses to play with this season, from luxe styles found at The Row and Khaite to more attainable options from Leset and Cos. Either way, all you have to add are a few key accessories. Shop some of our favorite T-shirt dresses below, with a few outfit ideas on how to wear them right now. outfits, below. The White Knit With Summer's Most Wanted Accessories AYR's soft-knit white T-shirt dress pairs perfectly with croc-embossed flip-flops and Bembein's woven bag—perfect for retaining a sense of polish over a long weekend. The Striped Style With Fashion-Forward Accessories You've spent all day window shopping with friends, but dinner and drinks are on the agenda! What to wear when there are multiple plans on the calendar? Cos's easy striped T-shirt dress, Alaïa's mesh bag, and a silver pendant necklace from Agmes make for a winning combo. The Head-to-Toe Neutral Outfit While summer is all about color, monochrome looks are just what the mood calls for some days. Brown accents, in a pair of fisherman sandals and a unique basket bag, add just enough depth. Kule The Tee dress $178 KULE Hunting Season The Pendant tagua and leather necklace $275 NET-A-PORTER The Artful Drape With Playful Accessories Add whimsy and creative touches to your look with Presley Oldham's beaded and pearl bracelet, and Loewe's leather-trimmed raffia bag—fashionable ways to embrace summer's carefree attitude. The Classic Black Dress With a Scarf-Wrapped Waist This outfit is as simple, but as chic, as they come. To add detail back in, cinch a silk printed scarf around your waist. Ballet flats and a raffia bag complete the look. Shop More T-Shirt Dresses:

James Gunn Says He's 'Very Involved' in DCU's THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD – Script in the Works — GeekTyrant
James Gunn Says He's 'Very Involved' in DCU's THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD – Script in the Works — GeekTyrant

Geek Tyrant

time30 minutes ago

  • Geek Tyrant

James Gunn Says He's 'Very Involved' in DCU's THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD – Script in the Works — GeekTyrant

While most DC fans have been waiting for Matt Reeves' The Batman: Part II , whihc is still a few years out, there's another Batman movie in development with The Brave and the Bold , the DCU's own take on the Dark Knight. James Gunn, who's been busy shaping the future of the DCU and launching it with Superman , recently gave a small but reassuring update about the Batman project during a conversation in London. 'There's really no new updates,' Gunn said when asked about The Brave and the Bold. 'I mean, we're working on a script. We have a screenwriter who's hammering away at it. I'm very involved, and so, you know, we'll see what happens next. I wish I had more news for you, but I don't.' It's not much, but at least it's in active development, with Gunn keeping a close eye on the direction. Interestingly, he also shared that he has Reeves' The Batman: Part II script on hand: 'But luckily, I've got The Batman 2 script in my backpack, and I'm about to read it.' Two very different Batman films. Two different universes. And both of them are being nurtured with care. One is a gritty noir-driven sequel continuing Pattinson's journey, and the other, The Brave and the Bold , is expected to introduce a new Batman alongside his son Damian Wayne, all set within Gunn and Safran's broader DCU reboot. While concrete details are still under wraps, it's clear Gunn is deep in the Batcave on this one. Source: GamesRadar+

Barcelona star Yamal faces backlash for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism for birthday party
Barcelona star Yamal faces backlash for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism for birthday party

Washington Post

time32 minutes ago

  • Washington Post

Barcelona star Yamal faces backlash for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism for birthday party

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has been criticized and could face an investigation for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism as entertainers during his lavish 18th birthday party this weekend. Spain's Ministry of Social Rights has asked prosecutors to open a probe into the hiring and exposition of the entertainers. Ministry director Jesús Martín Blanco told Europa Press that such hirings 'take us back to the Middle Ages.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store