At the height of the Ballet Russes in 1910, influenced by Serge Diaghilev and Leon Bakst’s extraordinary stage costumes, he became enchanted and bewitched with the treasure troves of Russian, Near Eastern and Far Eastern costume ideas from which he borrowed. In 1911 ~ A European Tour including St. Petersburg was arranged. He was the first Courtier to travel with his models to show his new clothes, and the first to offer a range of perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries named Rosine, (after one of his Daughters). He described Moscow as “The whole phantasmagoria of half-eastern life that is Moscow”.An interior decorating business was also opened offering carpets, divans, drapes, cushions and tasselled lamps, all bearing oriental motifs in exotic bright colours.In 1912 ~ He orchestrated the first Fashion Show. Another outstanding achievement was to open a Design Art School for poor Parisian girls. He named this after his daughter Martine. He used many of their designs and converted them into fabrics for cushions, curtains, rugs, wall coverings as well as garments. Roul Dufy design’s were used fabrics too and both were used for brocades woven with brightly coloured birds, folliage, seashells, and human figures.  The Martine school patterns included flowers dahlias, rosebuds, and artichokes they were then beaded and embroidered motifs for gowns and accessories.It is also known that he had a most generous and kind personality. Paul Poiret’s strong character and talent remains a legend in Paris. An Invitation to the Famous Party –  design by Artist Raoul Dufy.

A grand invitation - 1911

Illustrated by Walter Goetz

A very rare photo capturing the end of his much talked about party in Paris. We think he is seated in the middle.  Looks like a lampshade on his head! See enlargment of this below.

End of the Party 1002 Nights - 1911

Engarged photo 1911

He hosted the most prestigious revolutionary and extravagant parties in Paris, with his insistence that all his guests were to dress up in exotic costumes.His greatest remembered Ball was thrown in an Eastern theme.From the book Edited by James Laver, and Illustrated by Walter Goetz – called:- ~ Memorable Balls ~ which was printed in 1954, it gives an elaborate interesting story of one of these events.It has many grains of truth giving us an exciting vision of the place and time.An interesting fun exert from this book is:

“A seller of Monkeys walked about among his guests. Orchestras played softly out of sight. Nor were the other senses forgotten, curries cooked behind the scenes added there spicy fragrance. The buffets were loaded with every kind of exotic delicacy and there was also, a dusky bar where only the liqueurs were LUMINOUS.What alchemist had prepared the startling phantasmagoria of this disturbing laboratory… A hundred long-necked carafes, a hundred crystal ewers contained all the beverages whose gamut extends from Violet anisette, garnet bitters, emeralds & crimson of grenadine.Then there was liquorice and almond emulsion, Chartreuse, gins, vermouths, orangeades, kirsches, all showing a palate with these pure tints, which they mixed as they pleased in the transparency of their long glasses. Thus they created mysterious and sinful drinks that were a feast to see and a surprise to drink!”This Exotic Eastern costume Party was held at his transformed House/Salon with hundreds of Artists, Designers, Fashion Houses, and Parisian Elite Society., sometime in 1911.

Another costume for the party? Complete with a false nose!!  Photo by Lipnitzki. Boris Lipnitzki was born in Russia in 1897-1971, and then lived in Paris.  He was a friend of Paul Poiret photographing his fashion celebration parties, also making connections to photograph many big society events in Paris. This photo is a fascinating character study of Paul Poiret.  It may have been taken at a later date than 1911 because Boris would then have only been 14 years old. A vast collection of his photographs coverd many of the great fashion houses. Chanel, Schiaparelli, Maggy Rouff, Molyneaux,Fath, to mention a few. The arts featured in a great number of beautiful photo’s covering ballet, theatre, and music concerts.

Paul Poiret as a Persan Prince 1911

Paul Poiret - Oriental party pumps

This grand ball with 300 guests, must have been a sensational sight when they were all together in a luxurious setting, especially designed by Paul Poiret.

Oriental Party Poiret and his wife

The text for the above image :

French text

He continued his researches into ancient Sumerian, Persian and Turkish costumes required for his theatrical shows.  He also used the simple shapes of kimono jackets, long tunics over trousers, and sari like long scarves

1914 – Design by Paul Poiret and drawn by Simone A, Puget.

Artist: Simone A Puget

1915 and during 1918 he did no designing.  He did create a perfume called Sang de France which was immediately banned by the authorities.

Gazette Bon Ton

The Three Graces in the designs are dated 1924 and are  part of a wider image. They are wearing stunning clothes an Evening Wrap and smart gowns complete with bobbed hair styles.

The three graces all by Paul Poiret

1922 – A long red coat.

1922 Long red coat with velvet & fur bands

Artist: George Lepape.

Red cushions by George Lepape

The famous turban worn for Paul Poiret’s eastern clothes.

The famous Turban by Paul Poiret

Paul Poiret - Gazette Bon Ton

Our latest image found  July 2012.…A black and white photo from L’Illistree.

From L'Illustree

Gown info. 1924

Quote from Paul Poiret – “It was my inspiration of artists, in my dressing of theatrical pieces, that I served the public of my day”

“Am I a fool when I dream of putting art in my dresses, a fool when I say dressmaking is an art?”  Poiret believed that an artist was someone who put himself into everything he did and he breathed his passion for fantasy and his rare individuality into each endeavour – writing, printing, theatrical, interior design, schemes for fabrics, perfumes, and design of dresses.

Paul Poiret sold the rights to his business in 1925.

Fashion House garment label:

Fashion House garment label