Jeanne Paquin

Jeanne Paquin (1869–1936) was a French fashion designer, known for her modern and innovative designs. She was the first major female couturier and one of the pioneers of the modern fashion business.

Biography

Jeanne Marie Charlotte Beckers was born in 1869, at the gates of Paris, at St. Denis.

Sent out to work as a young teenager, Jeanne trained as a dressmaker at Rouff (a Paris couture house established in 1884 and located on Boulevard Haussmann ). She quickly rose through to ranks becoming première, in charge of the atelier. Her designs were featured prominently at the Exhibition

During World War I, Jeanne served as president of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture. She was the first woman to serve as president of an employers syndicate in France.

Awards and honours In 1913, Jeanne accepted France's prestigious Legion d’Honneur in recognition of her economic contributions to the country – the first woman designer to receive the honor.