Born 1909 in Carcassonne, French couturier and fashion designer Jacques Griffe worked with Madeleine Vionnet as a cutter from 1936 to 1939, before launching his own couture house in 1942. Initially based on the rue Gaillon, he later relocated to the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and eventually took over Edward Molyneux’s salon on the rue Royale.
Fashion designs by Jacques Griffe in the 1950s
Griffe is particularly known for his mastery of draping, which he developed while at Vionnet, and for his strong technical skills, using complicated shirring, pleating and tucking techniques to shape his garments and form subtle patterns and textures. He paid tribute to his mentor not only through his cutting and draping, but by featuring his own fingerprint on his dress labels as Vionnet herself did. Vionnet also gave him a miniature mannequin to use for developing his designs, and the colleagues eventually became friends in 1948.
His designs are in the collections of many museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the RISD Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Palais Galliera.
Griffe died in 1996. These amazing photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Jacques Griffe in the 1950s.
Ariane in navy blue and pink diamond print organza dress by Jacques Griffe, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950
Sylvie Hirsch in beautiful tulle gown in shades ranging from gray-green in the bodice to bands of peacock-green, gray and lime-green on the incredibly full skirt by Jacques Griffe, photo by Henry Clarke, Harper’s Bazaar UK, July 1950
Anne Campion in pale pink satin evening gown, the draped bodice is gathered in back in bustle-like effect by Jacques Griffe, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951
Anne Gunning in polka-dot dress by Jacques Griffe, photo by Henry Clarke, 1951
Gigi Terwalgne in velvet evening gown featuring a bustle in the back by Jacques Griffe, photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1951
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