Jacques Doucet, the great couturier of the Belle Époque, but also collector, patron and French skipper, sees his House reborn as Doucet Paris. Under the impetus of its president Arnaud de Lummen, the House, historically focused on Haute Couture, offers its first collection of high-end furniture.
He likes to describe himself as a “brand reviver”. Serial entrepreneur Arnaud de Lummen is no stranger to awakening the sleeping beauty of luxury. He is CEO of Vionnet Sp.A, a tribute to another great name in twentieth-century couture, Madeleine Vionnet.
This time, Arnaud de Lummen evokes the memory of Jacques Doucet, the great Parisian couturier and contemporary of Paul Poiret.
Here, the relaunch takes place in an assertive pivot towards interior furnishings. To this end, Doucet Paris has teamed up with Isabelle Dubern-Mallevays, co-founder of The Invisible Collection, an online platform for contemporary design , and French design duo Garcé & Dimofski.
The inaugural collection, on display in the company’s New York showroom since November 7, is also available on The Invisible Collection website, co-founded by Isabelle Dubern-Mallevays, former decorating consultant for Diptyque, ex-artistic director of Dior Maison and consultant for Dior Parfum.
A House founded in 1816
A great name now forgotten, Jacques Doucet was nevertheless one ofthe greatest couturiers of the Belle Epoque. His address at 21 rue de la Paix was one of the most sought-after in Paris at the time.
Born in 1853 into a family that manufactured lingerie and fabrics, designer Jacques Doucet made a name for himself in the late 1800s for his elegant day and evening gowns, which turned the heads of many celebrities and courtesans of the era. From the “Divine” actress Sarah Bernhardt to industrial socialites such as Carrie Astor and Consuelo Vanderbilt and writer Edith Wharton, his creations were snapped up by all.
A pioneer of haute couture, he inspired a whole generation of designers, starting with the flamboyant Paul Poiret, who was his pupil, and the queen of purity Madeleine Vionnet, who was his assistant.
Although he died in 1929, his name was held in high esteem by young Parisian couturiers such as Yves Saint-Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld. Today, many of the late couturier’s creations are on display at the MET.
A collector’s soul
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Featured Photo: © Inês Silva Sá/Doucet Paris
