Paquin, Jeanne
Name
Paquin, Jeanne
Variant name
Beckers, Jeanne Marie Charlotte
Gender
Female
Descriptive Note
Jeanne Paquin (née Jeanne Marie Charlotte Beckers) was the first major female fashion designers in Europe. She trained a dressmaker in Paris, quickly becoming the main designer at the Rouff Atelier. She was the first woman designer to receive the Legion d’Honneur (1913).
In 1891, she married Isidore René Jacob, and in 1891, Jeanne and Isidore opened the Paquin Maison de Couture. Jeanne was in charge of design, and Isidore ran the business.
Jeanne and Jacob were innovators on both the design and marketing sides of their business. Whereas Jeanne created new designs marked by bold colors in contrast with the pastel tones favored at the time, the couple also were the fist couturiers who sent models to public events such operas, theatre performances, and horse races for publicity.
Soon, the company expanded with shops in London, Buenos Aires, and Madrid, and later New York.
Jeanne played a major role in organizing the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900, and served as president of the Fashion Section. At the height of its fame, the House of Paquin employed up to 2,000 workers and served the royal houses of Spain, Belgium, and Portugal
The Paquin House hosted a kiosk at the Exposition of Turin 1911.
Roles
Fashion Designers;
Entrepreneurs
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