With Men’s Fashion Week S/S26 just behind us, highlighted by Jonathan Anderson’s remarkable debut, Jacquemus at Versailles and Pharrell’s Indian inspired Louis Vuitton show, Paris now turns its gaze to the Autumn/Winter 2025 Haute Couture Fashion Week, kicking off July 7 until the 10th.
Perfectly timed ahead of Haute Couture Week, if you are looking to explore the legacy behind Haute Couture and fashion weeks, don’t miss the WORTH exhibition held at the Petit Palais available until the 7th September 2025! With just a few days away, there’s no better moment to dive into the true origins of Haute Couture. After all, the world of Haute Couture and the fashion weeks we know today owe a great deal of credit to one visionary: Charles Frederick WORTH.
Who Was Charles Frederick Worth?
The modern Haute Couture we know today such as personalized luxury services or designs, seasonal collections, and designer led artistry began with one man: Charles Frederick Worth (1825-1895). WORTH was actually British who moved to Paris in hopes of being able to establish himself instead of being a normal dressmaker in England.
In 1858, he opened the first true couture house in Paris called “The House Of Worth” and pioneered a new vision of fashion: one where the designer set the creative direction, not the client. He was also the first to present collections by season, shown on live models to an exclusive VIP audience establishing the foundation of couture as both art and spectacle.
Beyond his talents as a designer, Charles Frederick Worth was an intelligent businessman. He leveraged the cultural and economic boom of Napoleon III’s France to build his legacy, understanding early on the power of branding such as sewing his signature label into every dress which became a custom in high end brands.
A Journey Through Worth’s Iconic Creations
The exhibition at the Petit Palais spans an impressive 1,100 m² and showcases 80 of Charles Frederick Worth’s couture creations, excluding paintings and accessories. Given the age and fragility of these pieces, the museum takes extra precautions to preserve them. However, what makes these pieces truly exceptional is the remarkable quality these garments have retained over time.
The collection is astonishing, featuring creations made for private clients, most notably Empress Eugénie Bonaparte, the lavish costume balls of the Second Empire: a time when Worth’s creativity was in endless demand, to the exuberance of the Roaring Twenties, the museum also displays an extensive archive of clothes, paintings, fabrics, and photographs, offering a comprehensive glimpse into the evolution of couture.
Worth was also a great fan of orientalism which was also in favor of his many favorite clients including Empress Eugénie Bonaparte.
It was a truly fascinating look into these collections as all of WORTH’s collections are housed exclusively in the MET Museum. Seeing them brought to Europe offers us a unique opportunity to connect with fashion history firsthand. What did you think? Was it a remarkable glimpse into the past, or do you find today’s couture more inspiring? Join the conversation and follow Style Cartel on Instagram and TikTok for more fashion insights and exclusive content!