Designer Clothing Guide

French king Louis XIV is the originator of upscale French luxury goods and French apparel.

According to the Fashion Encyclopedia, in the late 1600s to the early 1700s, King Louis created a powerful clothing industry producing ribbons, silk and other luxury textiles.

By ceasing the import of goods and fabrics into France, while simultaneously increasing the export of luxury French clothing to all of Europe, the world’s consumption of French clothes increased in European countries.
Notable Moments in French Clothing Design and Marketing

In the early 1670’s Jean Donneau de Vise created the first French fashion press to market French clothing outside of France

    1910, Coco Chanel opened her first shop on Rue Cambon.
    Christian Dior created the “New Look” in 1947.
    Fashion magazine Elle was founded in1945
    Hubert Givenchy opened his salon in 1952.
    Yves Saint Laurent created a line of ready to wear or “prêt-à-porter” in 1966.
    In the 1970s and 1980’s Thierry Mugler, Christian Lacroix and Jean-Paul Gautier developed new French fashion trends for the luxury and designer clothing industry.
21st Century French clothing History

In the 21st century, French clothing is featured in designer fashion shows and magazines around the world.

However, in the 1600s the French fashion press advertised the styles of clothing worn by members of the royal court of France to increase the export of French clothing to the global fashion audience.

Along with Milan, London and Tokyo, Paris is considered a premier city for fashion design and innovation.

Many famous French design houses: Lanvin, Chanel, Balmain, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Mainbocher, Yves Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche, crafted iconic apparel  sold in upscale department stores and vintage boutiques worldwide.