Breaking into Fashion

Poiret with his tailor and a model 

http://manteigavoadora-designs.blogspot.com/2008/09/paul-poirets-biography.html

Poiret’s rise to fame began with his first design for Jacques Doucet; a red cloak which sold 400 copies, customers demanded the design in other colors.  Poiret himself said that it was a mantle he made for the actress Réjane in a play called Zaza that really secured his place in the fashion world.  He became well known in both Europe, and America, and not only broke into fashion, he started a renaissance.  His career was interrupted during World War I, when he was drafted to serve with the French army.  Despite the war, Poiret was the dominant designer of the decade.