Jean Patou

Jean Patou was born in Normandy to a family who specialised in tanning and fur. Jean Patou, inspired by his family and his own love of fashion wanted to be a couturier and in 1912 fulfilled this dream. He became famous for eradicating the flapper look after the First World War by lengthening the skirt, introduced sportswear for women, and is considered the inventor of the knitted swimwear, the tennis skirt and the tie. He, notably, designed the then-daring sleeveless and thigh-length cut tennis wear for Suzanne Lenglen. Jean Patou was also the first designer to popularise the cardigan, and moved fashion towards a more natural and comfortable ethos, still in evidence today.

Unlike many fashion houses Jean Patou perfumes have always been considered and equal if not as important part of their business and their famous first perfume Joy still remains one of the world best selling and most renowned fragrances.