Paul Poiret Beauty and Style Facts: Public Profile

Alexandre Paul Poiret (French pronunciation: [alɛksɑ̃dʁ pɔl pwaʁe]; 20 April 1879 – 30 April 1944) was a French fashion designer and master couturier during the first two decades of the 20th century. He was the founder of his namesake haute couture house.

== Early life and career == Poiret was born on April 20th 1879 to a cloth merchant in the working class neighbourhood of Les Halles, Paris. His older sister, Jeanne, would later become a jewellery designer. Poiret's parents, in an effort to rid him of his natural pride, apprenticed him to an umbrella maker. There, he collected scraps of silk left over from the cutting umbrella patterns, and fashioned clothes for a miniature mannequin that one of his sisters had given him. While a teenager, Poiret took his sketches to Louise Chéruit, a prominent dressmaker, who purchased a dozen from him. Poiret continued to sell his drawings to major Parisian couture houses as a freelancer, until he was hired by Jacques Doucet in 1898. His first design, a red cloth cape, sold 400 units. He became famous after designing a black tulle mantle over black taffeta, painted by the famous fan painter Billotey. The actress Réjane used it in a play called Zaza...

Quick facts about Paul Poiret

• Name: Paul Poiret
• Known for: Alexandre Paul Poiret was a French fashion designer and master couturier during the…
• Category: beauty
• Wikidata ID: Q631884

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