In 1939, there were seventy registered couture houses in Paris. This flourishing industry was disrupted by the wartime occupation of Paris. Private clients dispersed, international sales almost ceased and many couturiers closed. The Germans planned to move couture to Berlin but Lucien Lelong, president of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, objected, saying, 'It is in Paris or it is nowhere." In this manner, a group of the most important French designers banded together to create a collection of miniature mannequins and couture pieces that were designed to lift the spirits of wartorn Europe. Each "doll" came with its own accessories; real emerald brooches made by Van Cleef and Arpels, tiny umbrellas that opened and handbags that had eensy weensy pockets inside. The list of Parisian houses is astounding:
Callot Soeurs (House of Calvet) Elsa Schiaparelli Hermes Nina Ricci Robert Piguet Jacques Fath Worth Molyneux Carven Paquin Maggy Rouff Marcel Rochas Jeanne Lanvin Lucien Lelong Madame Gres Jean Patou Balenciaga Jean Desses .. and so many more.
Théâtre de la Mode
Photo David Sparks - Museum of History & Industry - University of Washington
Lauded amongst the world's top international handbag designers, Marcela Calvet leads the CALVET PARIS brand; thus bringing back to life the legacy of a name famous for the revered iconic Parisian Couture label Callot Soeurs. Today, CALVET crafts luxurious handbags that continue to be a reflection of the woman who has her own style: Alluring. Elegant. Feminine. Marcela Calvet captures the essence of true luxury, melding the elegance of Paris with the seduction of Buenos Aires. The designs created by Marcela Calvet for Calvet Paris are indeed Art-A-Porter.
Marcela Calvet captures the essence of true luxury, melding
Argentine sensuality with French sophistication.
MARCELA CALVET is ART-A-PORTER.