Fashion Reverie takes a look back at French couturier Jean Patou. French couturier Jean Patou is credited for invented knitted swimwear, the tennis skirts, and popularizing the cardigan.
Born in Normandy, France in 1880, Jean Patou moved to Paris in 1910 with the intent on becoming a couturier. Patou opened a small couture house in 1912, which was re-opened in 1919 after his service in World War I. In the mid -1920s Patou launched three perfume fragrances created by Henri Almeras. Patou’s perfume business saved his luxury clothing business after the Great Crash.
Patou’s perfume fragrances are well-known today, with the perfume “Joy” being the most recognizable, and one of the most expensive. In 1972, the House of Patou launched “1000,” a heavy, earthy floral perfume, based on a rare osmanthus.
Since the death of Jean Patou in 1936, his couture house has been directed by a variety of well-known designers from Marc Bohan (1954-56) to Karl Lagerfeld (1960-63) to Jean Paul Gaultier (1971-73) to Christian Lacroix in 1981. After the departure of Lacroix the House of Patou discontinued it haute couture collections. In 2011, the Patou perfumes were acquired by Designer Parfums, LTD, a UK‒based company.
—Staff
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