.J.Crew Demylee Leopard Wide Leg Pants
Hello, Beauties🌸 Today’s post is the fashionably on-time Pauline Trigère.

Lafayette 148 Asher Gabardine Crop Trench Coat

November 4th marks 110 years since the birth of the Paris-born designer. Ms.Trigere, born to Russian Jewish parents – her mother, a dressmaker, and her father, a military tailor.

In 1929, Pauline married Lazar Radley, a Russian tailor, and had two sons. The couple, their sons, her mother and brother became increasingly concerned about the rise of Hitler, decided to leave France in 1937.

Lafayette 148 Asher Coat with J. Crew Demylee Leopard Wide Leg Pants

Pauline, her husband, and her family settled in New York City.  Soon after that, the Radleys opened a small tailoring business.  In 1941, Mr. Radley left their tailoring business and their marriage. Pauline left to fend for herself and her two sons; she sought work in Manhattan.

After working as a design assistant to coat and suit designer Ben Gershel and then costume designer Travis Banton at Hattie Carnegie, Pauline opened Trigère in 1942, having mastered tailoring techniques.  In the late 1950s, the label became Pauline Trigère.

The Fashionably On Time Pauline Trigère and me wearing Demylee J.Crew Leopard Wide Leg Pants and Lafayette 148 Asher Crop Coat

Within three years, the Trigère name became well-known in New York Fashion circles. Trigère is noted for her designing skills and her exquisite tailoring of feminine-fitting clothing, especially princess dresses and luxurious flowing capes.

Pauline Trigère, Breakfast AT Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's Pauline Trigere Design for Patricia Neal
Patricia Neal in Pauline Trigere in the iconic 1961 movie, Breakfast At Tiffany's

Audrey Hepburn and Patricia Neal on the set of Breakfast At Tiffany's
1960 Photo of Audrey Hepburn and Patrica Neal in the 1961 movie Breakfast AT Tiffany’s.

She did not sketch her designs in the tradition of other great French designers like Lanvin and Chanel; she cut and draped bolts of fabric on live models.  Her loyal client list is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Evelyn Lauder, and Lena Horne.  Pauline designed most of Patricia Neal’s dramatic, sophisticated wardrobe for the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

NYC Fashion Walk of Fame Plaque for Pauline Trigere

I discovered the American fashion designer in New York’s Fashion Walk of Fame in the Garment District along 35th Street. The Fashion Walk of Fame celebrates American designers who have influenced fashion worldwide with a lasting impact on how the world dresses. Twenty-eight designers have been inducted into the Fashion Walk of Fame.  Claire McCardell is also among the noted fashion designers.

NY Fashion Designer, Pauline Trigère

Trigère Achievements:
◊  1949 Coty Award
🏆  1950 Neiman Marcus Fashion Award
◊  1951 Coty Award
🏆 1951 National Cotton Council Award
◊  1959 Coty Hall of Fame Award
✨  1959 Filene Award
◊  50th Anniversary in Fashion Benefit Fashion Show and Dinner at The Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan in 1992
🌟  Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1993
◊  2001 Bronze Plaque for Fashion Walk of Fame in NYC Garment District

Karen Radkai Photo of Pauline Trigère Design
Leopard-print turban and crimson coat Pauline Trigère Design. Photograph by Karen Radka.

 

1949 Dolman-Sleeved Pauline Trigère Coat
1949 Dolman-Sleeved Coat by Pauline Trigère. Life image credit.


Princess Cut Pauline Trigere Dress

Eunice Johnson at 1971 Pauline Trigere Fashion SHow
Ebony’s Eunice Johnson at 1971 Pauline Trigère Fashion buying for Ebony Fashion Fair Show.

My favorite Pauline Trigère Photos: ↑

Pauline Trigère, The Fashionably On Time American Fashion Designer
American Fashion Designer Pauline Trigère
Beverly Valdez, the first African American hired by Pauline Trigere
1961 photo of African American model Beverly Valdez with Pauline Trigère.

Ms. Trigère is outspoken and occasionally a prima donna. Trigère was also an independent thinker. She was the first principal designer to showcase an African American model, Beverly Valdes, in 1961. The grand dame continued to design collections until 1994.

Pauline Trigère Turtle Scarf

Under the name P.T. Concepts, she introduced jewelry, men’s ties, and scarf lines that included designs of her beloved turtle. These additions prominently featured her trademark turtle. There was Trigère perfume.

 La Tortue (The Turtle), her upstate New York country home, had a collection of 900 turtles fashioned in gold, needlepoint, crystal, and other materials adorning the estate.

Photo of American Fashion Designer, Pauline Trigère
New York Fashion Designer Pauline Trigère wearing her signature tinted eyeglasses.

Pauline died at the age of 93 in 2002 of natural causes. I say the fashionably on time Pauline Trigère because of her classic and timeless designs that still influence today’s fashion.  Still relevant, Canadian fashion designer Franklin Benjamin Elman recently relaunched, Trigère believing that her brand aligns with today’s styles.

Were you familiar with the exquisite designs of Pauline Trigère? If so, share your thoughts in the comments section.

Thank you for reading!  Have a fabulous week.