#1/45. A Journey into Pauline Trigère's Exceptional Life and Design

This blog is an extension to the biography I am writing on the forgotten legendary fashion designer Pauline Trigère.

I apprenticed with Ms. Trigère in 1996 after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.  Once hailed as "The Queen of New York's Seventh Avenue," I was both in awe and intimated by her. It was much later that I found out not only was her professional life grand, her personal life was even more fascinating.

She was 88 years old at the time and still kept a small office for her accessories collection. She gifted me a ring when I got married which I held dearly. The ring was from her costume jewelry collection and was also featured in an ad. After years of interviewing individuals who knew Ms. Trigère personally -- most of them in their nineties -- I started researching anything I can find relating to Pauline Trigère, traveled to museums across the country and interview people that knew her. I want to share her legacy in fashion and the captivating life she had.

Pauline was an immigrant who left France because of Hitler on the horizon, and as a single mother, raised two boys while becoming a major designer who dressed the women of America's society elites. She has received numerous awards from the fashion industry including three Coty Awards and the CFDA Lifetiime Achievement awards, in addition to The Legion of Honor from France. Stars such as Lauren Bacall, Betty Davis, Elizabeth Taylor and Meryl Streep all have worn her garments. She was the first designer to hire an African American model for a major New York fashion show which made headlines around the world. Blacklisted by the most powerful man in the fashion publication, she fought back with a full page "Dear John" letter in the New York Times, it was a legendary feud in the industry.

But her name has disappeared and largely forgotten.

The title of this blog is taken from renowned journalist Eric Wilson's article: "La Vie en Rouge," from Women's Wear Daily (WWD),"La Vie en Rouge". Eric wrote for The New York Times and WWD,  he was the last person to have officially interviewed Ms.Trigère while she was alive.

This website is organized into four sections: interviews, museum archives, research and fashion photo shoots that highlight the timeless of Trigère garments.

Join me as I uncover the remarkable story of one of fashion's most overlooked legends. Along the way, I'll share discoveries that won't appear in the final book--from the behind-the-scene visits to museum archives, including the Kent State University Fashion Archive, to conversations with people who knew Ms.Trigère personally.

If you love fashion history, subscribe to the blog so you don't miss any updates of this journey. You can also follow along on Instagram @Jessica.Rabbit888 for photos, videos, and behind-the-scene moments.