The House Of Worth, 1858-1954: The Birth Of Haute Couture

Arriving in Paris in 1845 at the age of twenty with just a few francs in his pocket, Charles Frederick Worth went on to create the most important, innovative and successful fashion house of the century. Worth was inspired by his love of fine art, luxurious fabrics and his vision of the feminine ideal.

He was the first to dictate new styles and silhouettes to his elite clientele - rather than the other way round - by welcoming them to his salons in the Rue de la Paix, which included innovative 'sportswear' and 'maternity' departments, as well as silk, velvet and brocade rooms, and a special salon with closed shutters and gas lighting designed to allow customers to try on ball gowns in lighting conditions exactly matching those of the event.

Organised chronologically and illustrated with striking ensembles (including detail photographs that reveal the intricate construction and craftsmanship of the garments), paintings and documents from both private family archives and the finest fashion collections in museums around the world, this book pays tribute to the fashion house through its history.