#10. The Timeless Elegance of Pauline Trigère Through the Lens of Richard Avedon

Winona Ryder at the 2000 Academy Awards wearing a Pauline Trigere gown.

Portrait of Pauline Trigère by Richard Avedon

One of the most well-documented photographs of Pauline Trigère is this portrait by Richard Avedon captured in 1959. The dress remains as timeless as it was when originally designed in 1947. The strapless black column gown has a dramatic long sash in black and ivory.

This photograph was featured in an article penned by former Vogue Editor-at-Large Mr. Andre Leon Talley. In the article, Pauline mentioned that despite being mainly self-taught, she expressed a desire to have apprenticed under the tutelage of Cristal Balenciaga and Jeanne Lanvin, even if only for a brief period. She regretted not having had the opportunity to learn from other masters, rather than going through the challenging process of trial and error on her own.

The story of the gown doesn't end there.

More than fifty years later, this gown resurfaced as a vintage dress worn by actress Wynona Ryder at the 2000 Oscars Academy Awards. The gown was purchased through Rita Watnick at Lily et Cle boutique in LA. It is another example of Pauline Trigère's ability to create designs that never goes out of style.

It's yet another example of why Pauline Trigère deserves to be remembered among fashion's greatest designers.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to subscribe to my blog for more discoveries and the remarkable women who wore her creations today. And don't miss my feature on Meryl Streep wearing Pauline Trigère on her acceptance for winning the Oscar for Kramer Vs Kramer here.