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Hello, Beauties🌸 Today’s post, the fashionably on time Pauline Trigère.
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.
Pauline, her husband, and 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.
Within three years, the Trigère name became well known in New York Fashion circles. Trigère noted for her designing skills and her exquisite tailoring of feminine-fitting clothing, especially princess dresses and luxurious flowing capes.
She did not sketch her designs in the tradition of other great French designers like Lanvin, Chanel; she cut and drape bolts of fabric on live models. Her loyal client list, 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.
I discovered the American fashion designer while walking 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 the way the world dresses. To date, twenty-eight designers inducted into the Fashion Walk of Fame. Claire McCardell is also among the noted fashion designers.
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
My favorite Pauline Trigère Photos: ↑
Ms. Trigère, 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.
Under the name of P.T Concepts, she introduced jewelry, men’s ties, and scarf lines that included designs of her beloved turtle. Her trademark turtle prominently featured with these additions. There was Trigère perfume too.
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.
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 still influencing 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 yes, share your thoughts in the comments section.
Thank you for reading! Have a fabulous week.
