Fashion design, “Nymphéas” – Marie-Louise Bruyère, 1930s

“Nymphéas“, 1930s fashion drawing for the collection of Marie-Louise Bruyère. Watercolour on grey paper. Mme. Bruyère (1884 – after 1959)…

“Nymphéas“, 1930s fashion drawing for the collection of Marie-Louise Bruyère. Watercolour on grey paper.

Mme. Bruyère (1884 – after 1959) was born in the French countryside, but her ambitious parents moved to the growing suburbs of Paris, where they prospered. They lived in chic Saint Gratien, where Princesse Mathilde (Napoleon I’s niece) also lived. She trained with Louise Cheruit and then Jeanne Lanvin. In 1928 she opened her own “Bruyère Couture“, and with her collection from the early 1930s she placed herself among the leading young designers of her time such as Schiaparelli, Alix, Rochas and Mainbocher. Her fame grew internationally, which allowed her to open a grand salon on Place Vendôme in 1937.

Her designs were also exported to the United States. In 1932, the name Bruyère was the third best known in Manhattan stores (behind Vionnet and Lanvin).

Her clothes were chic, very wearable and above all fashionable, striking with subtle and unusual design elements. With two shows a year of 200 models each, she had a huge production and in 1947 she had 328 employees. Her business grew until the mid-1950s when fashion switched to prêt-à-porter, and the company closes after a few years.

Price: Euro 750,- (incl. frame)