Jacques Doucet (1853–1929) was a French fashion designer and art collector. He is known for his elegant dresses, made with flimsy translucent materials in superimposing pastel colors. His clothes were of perfect taste and luxury, his name the only one equalled with Worth.
Jacques Doucet was born in Paris in 1853 to a prosperous family whose lingerie and fine linens business, Doucet Lingerie, had flourushed in the Rue de la Paix since 1816. In 1871 Doucet opened a salon selling ladies’ apparel.
His most original designs were those he created for actresses of the time. Cecile Sorel, Rejane and Sarah Bernhardt (he designed the famous white costume she wore in L’Aiglon) all wore his outfits, both on and off the stage. For them he reserved a particular style, one which consisted of frills, sinuous curving lines and lace ruffles the colors of faded flowers.
Doucet was a designer of taste and discrimination who valued dignity and luxury above novelty and practicality, and gradually faded from popularity during the 1920s.
Hat by Jacques Doucet, 1900 via
Dress by Jacques Doucet, 1901 via
Evening dress by Doucet, Les Modes June 1909 via
Jacques Doucet, Sarah Bernhardt in Aiglon via
Robe de style by Doucet, photo by Henri Manuel, Les Modes June 1923 via
Robe de style by Doucet, Les Modes June 1923. Photo by Henri Manuel via
Evening gown by Doucet, photo by Henri Manuel, Les Modes June 1923 via
Jacques Doucet’s apartment Photograph by Pierre Legrain Published in L’Illustration, c. 1929 via
Jacques Doucet’s Hall, Studio Saint James at Neuilly sur Seine via
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