Jacques Doucet (fashion designer)
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Jacques Doucet (French pronunciation: [ʒak du.sɛ]) (1853–1929) was a French fashion designer, known for his elegant dresses, made with flimsy translucent materials in superimposing pastel colors.
He was born in Paris in 1853 to a prosperous family whose lingerie and linens business, Doucet Lingerie, had flourished in the Rue de la Paix since 1816. In 1871, Doucet opened a salon selling ladies' apparel. An enthusiastic collector of eighteenth-century furniture, objets d'art, paintings and sculptures, many of his gowns were strongly influenced by this opulent era. A designer of taste and discrimination, Doucet valued dignity and luxury above novelty and practicality and therefore gradually went out of popularity during the 1920s. His most original designs were those he created for actresses of the time. Cecile Sorel, Rejane and Sarah Bernhardt (for whom he designed her famous white costume in L'Aiglon) all often wore his outfits, both on and off the stage. For the aforementioned actresses he reserved a particular style, one which consisted of frills, sinuous curving lines and lace ruffles the colors of faded flowers.
A collector of art and literature throughout his life, by the time of his death he had a collection of Post-Impressionist and Cubist paintings (including "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon", which he bought direct from Picasso's studio), as well as two libraries of manuscripts by contemporary writers, both of which he left to the French nation.
Jacques Doucet donated his collection of art books and research to the University of Paris when he died in 1929. The University created in his honour the Librairie Literaire Jacques Doucet. Francois Chapon wrote a book on the life of the fashion designer and art collector named C'etait Jacques Doucet. The Louvre will be hosting an exhibit in spring 2011 displaying some Doucet furniture, fashion and art collection. Some family members, Clemence from his sister's side and Eugene from his brother's side, will be involved. Terence Doucet, a graphic designer and descendant of the designer's uncle Eugene, mounted a plaque he designed on the Librairie Literaire Jacque Doucet on 24 September 2009. Terence Doucet will also be involved in the Louvres exhibit on his ancestor.
[edit] External links
- Jacques Doucet (fashion designer) designer profile at Fashion Model Directory
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