Beautiful Fashion Designs by Jean Patou in the 1950s

Born in Paris in 1887 into a family of tanners based in Picardy, Jean Patou first joined the army before turning his eye to fashion. His father was a tanner of chamois for luxury leather goods and his mother, a housewife. He trained in fur before founding his first fashion house at the age of 23, then created his own brand in Paris in 1914. The First World War forced him to put his brand on hold. After returning from the front, where he discovered the beauty of the East and the Balkans, he re-opened his house as a family business, alongside his parents, his sister, Madeline, and her husband.

Fashion designs by Jean Patou in the 1950s

In the 1920s, women were breaking the mould with their wardrobe, and Jean Patou was at their side. He proposed a whole new way to experience garments and the idea of leisure and relaxation. In 1925, the year of his great successes, he opened a shop in Monte-Carlo, which he frequented for its casino. In Deauville, Cannes and Biarritz, seaside resorts where one had to be seen, he sold bathrobes and swimwear made to measure, marked with his initials: “JP”.

Jean Patou participated in the emergence of the iconic French “je ne sais quoi” movement that has left a lasting mark on French style. He died in his apartment of Georges V in 1936, at the age of 48, leaving the world with a spark as quick as was his life.

Take a look at these vintage photos to see portraits of classic models in beautiful fashion designs by Jean Patou in the 1950s.

Fiona Campbell-Walter in white crepe evening gown by Jean Patou, photo by Richard Dormer, L'officiel, 1952

Joan Whelan in elegant lavender wool suit over pale gray crêpe blouse by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1952

Model in red wool coat with interesting shawl collar that extend to the sleeves, worn over yellow shantung dress by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier aboard the ocean liner 'Ile de France', 1952

Anne Gunning in tan cotton piqué suit, jacket is boxy with square neckline, bright blue scarf adds color, by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Joan Whelan in jersey day-dress and jacket in a brilliant red by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Sophie Malgat in beautiful pale blue linen suit by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Stella in red tweed coat, three tiered pockets on either side accentuate the vertical line that closes with a single button at the neck, by Jean Patou, calf leather handbag by Jean Pax, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1953

Joan Olson in classic beige suit, the skirt is bell-shaped, jacket has nipped waist and low neck that shows a bright blue scarf by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Marie-Hélène in faille dress adorned with two bows worn under wool printed coat and small velvet cap, by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Marie-Hélène in red wool suit worn under 3/4 coat with shawl collar lined in civet, by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1954

Suzy Parker in dress by Jean Patou on the roof of the Louvre Museum, photo by Lionel Kazan, Elle, July 1954

Suzy Parker in soft color leaf print dress of paper taffeta worn with blue taffeta coat with wide sleeves by Jean Patou, photo by Henry Clarke, back-drop by Antoni Calvé, Vogue, April 15, 1954

Ghislaine Arsac wearing emerald and diamond jewelry by Cartier, metallic jersey dress by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1955

Barbara Cailleux in a mustard wool coat that is 7/8 in length with a full back held low with martingale, worn over a straight suit with round collar, by Jean Patou, photo by Georges Saad, 1956

Dorian Leigh in black lace blouse with embroidered medallions worn with a bronze-green taffeta skirt and mauve velvet bow-tie belt by Jean Patou, photo by Wilhela Cushman, Ladies' Home Journal, December 1956

Ghislaine Arsac in bright blue wool suit worn with a bunch of cherries on the shoulder by Jean Patou, red leather handbag by Jean Pax, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1956

Marie-Hélène Arnaud in red wool suit with fitted jacket by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1956

Model in straight wool dress worn with matching jacket with buttoned tabs on the shoulders by Jean Patou, crocodile handbag by Prost, photo by Pottier, 1956

Patsy Pulitzer in camel-colored greatcoat lined in guanaco fur over a narrow wool dress its waistband shirred by Jean Patou, photo by Frances McLaughlin, Vogue, November 1, 1956

Ghislaine Arsac in red wool two-piece with a sailor collar, worn under a jacket lined in ocelot fur as is the bonnet, by Jean Patou, photo by Guy Arsac, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in 3/4 jacket of rust colored tweed lined with Lynx fur worn over suit of same material by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in gala evening gown of ice blue satin worn with sheer blue silk organdy mantle by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Simone d'Aillencourt in wonderful red wool bouclé suit by Jean Patou, croc handbag by Le Marchand, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1957

Maria Solar is wearing pale yellow organdy evening gown embroidered and appliqued with white flowers by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1958

Model in black and ocher floral print silk shantung dress belted in suede by Jean Patou, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1958

Model in short floral silk dress over layered tulle by Jean Patou, photo by Jacques Decaux, 1958

Model in velvet floral print cocktail dress with plunging back, by Jean Patou, photo by Georges Saad, 1958

Model is wearing silk satin dinner/theater ensemble with matching coat lined in mink by Jean Patou, photo by Georges Saad, 1958

Ghislaine Arsac in red wool dress by Jean Patou stands next to Simca's concept car "Fulgur", photo by Guy Arsac, 1959

Jean Newington in blue wool blouson dress, buttoned throughout bodice and skirt, by Jean Patou, handbag by Lucienne Offenthal, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1959

Nena von Schlebrugge in lovely blue wool coat with fringed scarf by Karl Lagerfeld for Patou, hat by Sally Victor, photo by Roger Prigent, Ladies' Home Journal, September 1959

Rose Marie in two-piece wool dress, top is sleeveless, skirt slightly gathered at the hips, by Jean Patou, shoes by Charles Jourdan, photo by Philippe Pottier at Pavillon de Sully, 1959