JEAN LOUIS SCHERRER HAUTE COUTURE

Although Jean-Louis Scherrer may not be as popular a Parisian fashion name as his contemporaries like Yves Saint Laurent, with whom he worked at Christian Dior, we are particularly fond of Scherrer's work from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Once one of the most profitable Haute Couture houses, Scherrer isn't what it it used to be, but we love what is used to be! Here is a brief history of the house:

A native of Paris, Jean-Louis Scherrer studied ballet before he entered the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne to study fashion. He worked as an assistant to Christian Dior (1955-1957) and learned cutting and draping alongside a young Yves Saint Laurent. After the death of Christian Dior, he worked for Yves Saint Laurent for 2 years. He would work at Louis Feraud for another 2 years (1959-1961) and eventually, founded the Jean-Louis Scherrer label in 1962.

His early training in ballet will influence his designs, both for couture and ready-to-wear. Jean-Louis Scherrer collections had been described as elegant and sophisticated, sexy without being vulgar. During the height of his popularity, Jean-Louis Scherrer dressed the rich and famous, their names almost synonymous with the best dressed list. His clientele included Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch for the Hollywood set, Patricia Kennedy Lawford, Ann Getty and Queen Noor of Jordan.

In 1992, he left the company he founded. The firm Jean-Louis Scherrer is currently controlled by the France Luxury Group. Ritu Beri was hired as the designer for the Ready-To-Wear collection in March 2002, and debuted in Paris during the Fall 2002 fashion season. Beri stayed only for a year. She left Scherrer on January 2003, two months before the Fall 2003 RTW season. Stéphane Rolland formerly designed the haute couture collections.

Here is an example of Scherrer's Haute Couture sensibility from the late 1970s. A black chiffon spaghetti strap gown with a wide satin obi sash. It comes with a chiffon evening cover and marabou feather throw for a little pizazz. The gown on it's own is simple and elegant. There are moments for bells and whistles and moments when classic and clean glamour are what one craves.

Jean Louis Scherrer Haute Couture black chiffon spaghetti strap evening gown with wide satin sash. C. late 1970s Modern size 4 to 6 SOLD

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