Rose Bertin

Marie -Jeanne Bertin, better known as Rose Bertin ( born July 2, 1747 in Abbeville, Picardie, France, † September 22, 1813 in Epinay- sur- Seine), is one of the few women of the 18th century from the large anonymous group working in the field of fashion dressmakers, milliners and dressmakers, who are known by name and brought it to her time to glory.

Life and work

At that time still called Marie -Jeanne Bertin - - Rose Bertin was given very early apprenticed to a milliner, where they struck by her great talent for this craft. Early age of 16 she moved to Paris, where she learned more in the fashion action " Trait Gallant ".

With her own shop in the rue Saint- Honoré, which she founded in 1770 and they " Au Grand Mogol " called fashion of the time accordingly ( to great Mughal ), they quickly found customers among influential noble ladies. The Duchess of Chartres, she introduced at Marie Antoinette, whose Hoflieferantin it was in 1772.

Madame Bertin designed dresses and hats and let them make their thirty workers in their business. You could also buy ready-made things to her like hoods, dressing gowns, bath clothes, hair accessories, hats, capes, coats, collars, scarves, ribbons, purses, handkerchiefs, shawls, muffs, fans, belts, gloves, shoes, slippers and jewelry of all kinds.

From the year 1774, after Marie Antoinette was crowned as the French queen, Rose Bertin presented twice a week before their latest creations of the young Queen and lectured occasionally for hours with their aristocratic client. That same year, sat down under the elegant ladies their " poufs" by, spectacular superstructures on the hair with flowers, fruits, feathers, etc., which often constitute a particular topic.

The confidential deal between the Queen and the milliner from the lower layers was treated with hostility, especially since Rose Bertin for their creations demanded high prices. Rose Bertin ( as the milliner not tailored clothes, but the surface of clothes and hairstyle designed and thus fashion trends created ) demanded and received for a decorated her robe 900 livres, and more. Madame Du Barry paid for their pension at Rose Bertin hats 25-120 livres. The daily wage of a skilled worker was approximately 2.5 livres. Their high prices justified Rose Bertin with her artistic aspirations. Until October 6, 1789 Bertin granted visits with the Queen.

During the French Revolution many of their aristocratic customers were either executed or emigrated abroad. Rose Bertin joined this emigration, since they, too, was at risk because of their close contacts with the aristocracy, and continued her work in England continued. With the help of her nephew, it succeeded to save their possessions during the revolutionary period. 1795 she returned to France and also won Joséphine to customer. However, the great success of her fashion house before the French Revolution, it was not able, as the fashion now prescribed a simple, barely ornamented style that left no room for the elaborate fashion decoration in the style of Rose Bertin.

With the beginning of the 19th century Rose Bertin transferred their business to her nephew. She herself died in 1813 at her home in Epinay- sur -Seine.