LESSER KNOWN DESIGNER

Everyone is lusting after vintage Dior, Chanel and Galliano but there are many more designers who are less broadly known. These today so unfamiliar sounding designers had their own Maisons, which went out of business, they have been bought out of and the naming rights ended in some desk drawer or they might only be around due to small licensing deals. Some of them designed for the biggest players in Luxury today. Some of their designs are actually in high demand right now and for they created equally fabulous garments for their namesake labels. 

One of these creators is Louis Feraud. As a true artist, he was not only a famous fashion designer but as well a painter in his own right. His career started with a small boutique in the French Riviera only to be accelerated by Brigitte Bardot when she wore one of his dresses. He even designed for several of her films. In total he created costumes for about 20 movies, as well as some of his creations were to be seen on the television series Dynasty. He worked with graphic patterns and geometric prints as well as colorful designs, perfect for the summer. Ferauds designs focused on seductive women who prioritize comfort and freedom. 

Jean Louis Scherrer was one of his contemporaries who initially wanted to become a dancer but ended up dressing the likes of Sophia Loren and Jackie Kennedy. His vintage designs are still pulled by stylists as red carpet looks for the likes of Amal Clooney or Anne Hathaway. Scherrer and Yves Saint Laurent worked together as assistant Designers at Dior but as well for Louis Feraud. His namesake label started in 1962 and made headlines in 1992 as he was the first couturier ever to be evicted from his own couture house. Famous for his opulent designs, tailored jackets and fitted cocktail dresses he took many inspirations from the Bauhaus era. Perfectly fitting for the 80s glamour and extravaganza his designs exuded wealth. 

Both were couturiers and even if some deem them to be the more insignificant there are always multiple things to consider. 

One: being able to call yourself a couturier at all is an immense honor 

Two: some might think them to be lesser today but potentially competitors were just better in marketing. Chanel survived, while the actually more creative and innovative house of Schiaparelli faltered, as the owner was not that good in selling herself. 

Three: trends change – so maybe they are not popular now but so was Mugler a couple years ago, whoms archive designs today are seen everywhere and worn by all the current It-Girls.