Which English couturier founded the House of Worth in Paris?

Charles Frederick Worth, an English couturier, founded the House of Worth in Paris.

Born in Bourne, Lincolnshire, in 1825, Worth moved to Paris in 1846 and worked for the prestigious textile and dressmaking firm Gagelin. There he gained experience designing garments and met Marie Vernet, who became his wife and an important early promoter of his work.

In 1858, Worth and Swedish partner Otto Bobergh opened their own establishment at 7 rue de la Paix. Worth’s success accelerated after Empress Eugénie became a client. He helped transform dressmaking into a designer-led business: seasonal models were presented on live mannequins, clients selected designs for individual fitting, and garments carried his name as a label.

Worth is often called the father of haute couture, although that title is a later historical shorthand rather than an official single invention. He did not work alone, and the House of Worth continued under his sons after his death. The house’s founder was English, even though his fashion career and celebrated salon were based in Paris.