Madeleine Chéruit By: Shannon Roark

Who was she? She was born in France in the 1880's She was born in France in the 1880's She was among the foremost couturiers of her generation. She was also one of the first women to control a major French fashion house. She was among the foremost couturiers of her generation. She was also one of the first women to control a major French fashion house.

What did she do? Around 1906, she opened her own house in the Place Vendome and became well known in 1914 for her walking suits and afternoon dresses Around 1906, she opened her own house in the Place Vendome and became well known in 1914 for her walking suits and afternoon dresses After World War I, she designed cinema capes and full evening skirts After World War I, she designed cinema capes and full evening skirts In 1925, she created hand painted Cubist- inspired dresses In 1925, she created hand painted Cubist- inspired dresses

What were her dresses like? Many of Cheruit's gowns were heavily ornamented and embroidered. Her aristocratic Parisian clientele favored her richly ornamented dresses. Fascinated by the effect of light on fabric, she worked with lustrous taffeta, glowing lame and silvery gauze. Many of Cheruit's gowns were heavily ornamented and embroidered. Her aristocratic Parisian clientele favored her richly ornamented dresses. Fascinated by the effect of light on fabric, she worked with lustrous taffeta, glowing lame and silvery gauze.

Was she very successful? Her gowns were very popular for about 20 years but in the mid-20's when less complicated attire became fashionable, Cheruits's designs started to lose their appeal. Her gowns were very popular for about 20 years but in the mid-20's when less complicated attire became fashionable, Cheruits's designs started to lose their appeal. The house closed in 1935 when Schiaparelli took over her premises. The house closed in 1935 when Schiaparelli took over her premises.

Citations ruit.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeleine_Chéruit