WORTH TIMELINE

1826

Charles Frederick Worth is born 13 October at Bourne, England

1845

Worth travels to Paris

1847

Worth employed at Maison Gagelin

1851

June 21 - wedding of Charles Frederick Worth and Marie Vernet

1851

Gowns by Worth, exhibited by Gagelin, win Gold Medal at "The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations"

1855

Paris Exhibition of 1855 - First Prize awarded for "manteau de cour" designed by Worth for Maison Gagelin

1858

Worth and Otto Bobergh open for business as "Worth & Bobergh" on 7 rue de la Paix

1860

Worth appointed couturier to the Empress Eugenie and the Second Empire

1867

The bustle is introduced by Worth, so beginning the elimination of the crinoline

1870 - 71

House of Worth closed due to war

1870

Otto Bobergh retires

1871

House re-opens only under the name "Worth"

1874

Worth's sons, Gaston and Jean-Philippe, formally enter the family business

1874

Gaston introduces proper bookkeeping to the business

1895

Charles Frederick Worth dies 10 March at his Paris town house in rue de Berri

1895

Jean-Philippe and Gaston Worth, successors to their father

1898

The designer Paul Poiret is appointed

1898

Worth opens a branch of the House in London at 50 Grosvenor Street

1909

The designer Paul Poiret departs the House of Worth to open his own house

1914

A temporary border shop is opened in San Sebastian during war period

1920

Gaston retires and his sons, Jean-Charles and Jacques, succeed their father

1926

August 1st, a new Worth shop is opened in Biarritz

1926

Worth Parfums is founded as a separate company

1936

Worth's grandson, Jacques, appoints Mrs. Mortimer director of Worth in London

1946

Worth (London) is purchased by the House of Paquin

1951

Roger Worth, son of Jacques and great-grandson of Charles Frederick, retires

1951

Maurice Worth, a younger brother of Roger, presents collection 8 August as newly appointed head of the House

1954

Worth (Paris) is purchased by the House of Paquin

1956

Worth (Paris) location is sold

1958

Worth celebrates 100 years of existence at its atelier in Grosvenor Street, London

1958

100 Worth dresses, one for every year from 1858 to 1958 are shown at the "100 years of Worth" Exhibition at the V & A, London, organised by James Laver, the distinguished fashion historian

1968

Worth is purchased in March from the House of Paquin by Sidney Massin

1968

July 18, House of Worth reopens its doors in London

1968

House of  Worth Menswear Show

1999

Worth is purchased from Mr. Massin and contributed to the Charles Frederick Worth Organization