Jean Desses
Encyclopedia
Jean Dessès was a world leading fashion design
er in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. His designs reflected the influences of his travels, specializing in creating draped evening gowns in chiffon
and mousseline, based on early Greek
and Egyptian
robes.
, Egypt
, to Greek parents http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:4QxS077GCQkJ:www.designerhistory.com/historyofashion/desses.html+Jean+Desses+&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:Q4_UssIcCmcJ:www.hellenicnews.com/readnews.html%3Fnewsid%3D2006%26lang%3DUS+Jean+Desses+greek+fashion&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5, he originally set out to study law, but, in 1925, he abandoned his legal studies and began working for Maison Jane, a Paris
ian couture house where, in 1937, he opened his own couture salon. After World War II
, he traveled extensively throughout the world. His work was influenced by his travels, creating draped evening gowns in chiffon
, embroidered dresses, sheath dresses with tight jackets and flowing skirts. His fashion was very popular with Europe
an royalty and movie stars. Among his clientele were the Queen and royal princesses of Greece, the Duchess of Windsor, Madame Jean (Lilia) Ralli, the first Mrs. Aristotle Onassis
and society hostess Elsa Maxwell
. In 1962, he designed the wedding gown worn by Princess Sophia of Greece (later Queen Sofia of Spain
) for her marriage to the future King Juan Carlos of Spain.http://www.elmundo.es/magazine/2004/242/1084292506.html Valentino
worked with Desses for several years in the 1950s and gained much hands-on experience, as did Guy Laroche
who in the 1950s was Desses' assistant.
In 1963, at age 60, he retired to Greece because of poor health, where he ran a small boutique which he had opened eight years earlier. He died in Athens
in 1970. In the 1990s, his fashion designs saw a revival with the interest in vintage dresses. Naomi Campbell
wore a vintage boned bodice and ruched silk Desses gown in May 1999 at a Christie's
party. Later, in 2001, Renée Zellweger
wore a lemon yellow strapless 1950s Desses gown to the Academy Awards
. Similarly, Jennifer Lopez
wore a vintage moss green Desses gown, made with 50 yards of chiffon, to the 2006 Academy Awards
.http://www.oscar.com/style/women/?pn=gallery&g=0&i=72
The fashion designer Jean Desses brought also out a perfume called Kalispera.
Fashion design
Fashion design is the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories. Fashion design is influenced by cultural and social latitudes, and has varied over time and place. Fashion designers work in a number of ways in designing clothing and accessories....
er in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. His designs reflected the influences of his travels, specializing in creating draped evening gowns in chiffon
Chiffon (fabric)
Chiffon, , from the French word for a cloth or rag, is a lightweight, balanced plain-woven sheer fabric woven of alternate S- and Z-twist crepe yarns. The twist in the crepe yarns puckers the fabric slightly in both directions after weaving, giving it some stretch and a slightly rough...
and mousseline, based on early Greek
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
and Egyptian
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
robes.
Biography
Born Jean Dimitre Verginie in AlexandriaAlexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, to Greek parents http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:4QxS077GCQkJ:www.designerhistory.com/historyofashion/desses.html+Jean+Desses+&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:Q4_UssIcCmcJ:www.hellenicnews.com/readnews.html%3Fnewsid%3D2006%26lang%3DUS+Jean+Desses+greek+fashion&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5, he originally set out to study law, but, in 1925, he abandoned his legal studies and began working for Maison Jane, a Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
ian couture house where, in 1937, he opened his own couture salon. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he traveled extensively throughout the world. His work was influenced by his travels, creating draped evening gowns in chiffon
Chiffon
Chiffon may refer to:* Chiffon , a type of fabric* Chiffon cake, a light, fluffy cake* Chiffonade, a French term for the cutting of herbs or leafy green vegetables into long, thin strips* The Chiffons, girl group of the 1960s...
, embroidered dresses, sheath dresses with tight jackets and flowing skirts. His fashion was very popular with Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an royalty and movie stars. Among his clientele were the Queen and royal princesses of Greece, the Duchess of Windsor, Madame Jean (Lilia) Ralli, the first Mrs. Aristotle Onassis
Aristotle Onassis
Aristotle Sokratis Onassis , commonly called Ari or Aristo Onassis, was a prominent Greek shipping magnate.- Early life :Onassis was born in Karatass, a suburb of Smyrna to Socrates and Penelope Onassis...
and society hostess Elsa Maxwell
Elsa Maxwell
Elsa Maxwell was an American gossip columnist and author, songwriter, and professional hostess renowned for her parties for royalty and high society figures of her day....
. In 1962, he designed the wedding gown worn by Princess Sophia of Greece (later Queen Sofia of Spain
Queen Sofía of Spain
Queen Sofía of Spain is the wife of King Juan Carlos I of Spain.-Early life and family:Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark was born in Psychiko, Athens, Greece on 2 November 1938, the eldest child of the King Paul of Greece and his wife, Queen Frederika , a former princess of Hanover...
) for her marriage to the future King Juan Carlos of Spain.http://www.elmundo.es/magazine/2004/242/1084292506.html Valentino
Valentino SpA
Valentino SpA is a clothing company founded in 1959 by Valentino Garavani. Nowadays it is a part of Valentino Fashion Group. New creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli will take Alessandra Facchinetti's seat as creative designer...
worked with Desses for several years in the 1950s and gained much hands-on experience, as did Guy Laroche
Guy Laroche
Guy Laroche was a French fashion designer and founder of the eponymous company.Laroche began his career in millinery and, from 1949, Laroche worked for Jean Desses and eventually became his assistant. In 1955, he visited the US to investigate new ready-to-wear manufacturing methods...
who in the 1950s was Desses' assistant.
In 1963, at age 60, he retired to Greece because of poor health, where he ran a small boutique which he had opened eight years earlier. He died in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
in 1970. In the 1990s, his fashion designs saw a revival with the interest in vintage dresses. Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is a British model. Scouted at the age of 15, she established herself among the top three most recognisable and in-demand models of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and she was one of six models of her generation declared "supermodels" by the fashion world...
wore a vintage boned bodice and ruched silk Desses gown in May 1999 at a Christie's
Christie's
Christie's is an art business and a fine arts auction house.- History :The official company literature states that founder James Christie conducted the first sale in London, England, on 5 December 1766, and the earliest auction catalogue the company retains is from December 1766...
party. Later, in 2001, Renée Zellweger
Renée Zellweger
Renée Kathleen Zellweger is an American actress and producer. Zellweger first gained widespread attention for her role in the film Jerry Maguire , and subsequently received two nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her roles as Bridget Jones in the comedy Bridget Jones's Diary ...
wore a lemon yellow strapless 1950s Desses gown to the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
. Similarly, Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
wore a vintage moss green Desses gown, made with 50 yards of chiffon, to the 2006 Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
.http://www.oscar.com/style/women/?pn=gallery&g=0&i=72
The fashion designer Jean Desses brought also out a perfume called Kalispera.