TIME LINE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS

1858
Englishman Charles Worth establishes first haute couture fashion house in Paris
Top
1906
Paul Poiret establishes fashion house; creates harem pants; first couturier to launch perfume, "Rosina"
Top
1913
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel opens boutique in Deauville, France; revolutionizes and democratizes women's fashion with tailored suits, chain-belted jerseys, quilted handbags; the most copied fashion designer in history
Top
1914-1918
World War I prompts women to work in factories, offices; women wear pants; military cut influences clothes
Top
1920s
Circa 1920
Women participate in sports, prompting new styles, including the "flapper"
Early 20s
Madeleine Vionnet creates flowing, feminine clothes, including the chiffon handkerchief dress; creates cowl neck, halter top; sets trends in 1930s
Mid 20s
Popularity of rayon causes decline in use of cotton
1926
Knee-length hemlines mark new high
Late 20s
Elsa Schiaparelli opens Paris boutique; pioneers use of zippers, shoulder pads, unusual buttons; favors bright colors, including "shocking pink"
1930
Hemlines drop; then gradually rise
Alix "Madame" Grès becomes famous for elegant draped dresses
Tennis star Rene Lacoste, known as "le Crocodile," manufactures a versatile new tennis shirt. It features an embroidered crocodile, believed to be the first instance of a designer logo to appear on a garment.
Top
1940-1945
World War II forces many Paris couture houses to close
Top
1947
Christian Dior reestablishes Paris as fashion center; revives haute couture; replaces wartime austerity with the glamour of the "New Look" with tight waist, stiff petticoats, billowing skirts
Top
1950
Shoes have pointed toes, stiletto heels