Charles Frederick Worth (1825 - 1895)

Charles Frederick Worth was somebody who I studied last semester as part of my fashion construction module. He was born in 1825 in the UK and later moved to Paris where he launched his career as a couturier and famously became the 'father' of Haute Couture.

He changed the way people perceived fashion. Up until then couturiers had made gowns specific to a customers requirement, Charles made gowns that he wanted to make and then sold them to customers. This reimagining led the way for future fashion houses.

He also reinvented the impractical crinoline. Before Worth, the crinoline and the womens fashion of those days was impractical and difficult to manouvre in. Worth reinvented this and pushed the shape of gowns towards the back of the body, freeing up the front and the sides of the body and creating a more elegant silhouette.

Apart from the wide crinoline undergarment, the remaining three dresses are all Worth's creations.

Worth was also the first designer to label his work. He placed a small fabric label with his name in on all of his creations, this still follows suit today and I don't know one single designer that doesnt have clothing tags.

I have ordered some books on Haute Couture sewing to read over the summer break and practice some techniques ready for next year. As I still am unsure of what line of work I would like to go down I am considering all options.