Patou, Jean

Jean Patou was born in Normandy, France, in 1880. Patou's father was a leading tanner and his uncle owned a fur business which Patou joined in 1907. In 1912 Patou opened Maison Parry, a small dressmaking salon in Paris, and sold his entire 1914 collection to one American buyer. In 1919, he reopened his salon after the war, this time under his own name. His collections were successful from the start. In the early 20's, his inspired work in the sportswear field gave fashion another dimension. In 1928, Jean Patou created "Huile de Caldee, the first sun lotion. Patou was a giant of the fashion world, dominating both couture and ready-to-wear. Patou met an early death in 1936, at the age of 56.