Interview

    It is a quiet night in the beautiful city of Paris. Paris is where it all started for the very talented   business man Charles Worth, and here I am sitting with him in his own studio and how thrilled I am to be interviewing such a successful man. As the aspiring fashion designer I am, I jumped on the opportunity to interview such an iconic designer.

Z: Bonjoúr, So tell me about the place and time that you lived?
C: Bonjoúr, Well, living in The Industrial Era was definitely living in a time of change. The only way to describe the time then is as a vast period of time, with many changes and oppturnities in the work force. I remember how taken back people were by the quickening speed of the industrialization. For the first time people weren't manufacturing goods in homes, but yet in factories. This is where mass production began and a new world of production, I was definitely impressed by it.

My time era wasn't all great, from an overall perspective it was for countries, But not necessarily for all people. Factories helped create better econmic symtems, and resulted in much invention and inventory. But for the workers, as I remember it was dificult. Many kids worked the same jobs as adults, but with much lesser pay. Factories were dangerous and even with the abundance of jobs, So many people still suffered in poverty. My family was one of them.

Z: What events in your early life made you become interested in fashion?
C: Growing up I was put into the work force around the young age of Eleven. Starting off in the work force so young, you learn things earlier. You experience life, and my experience started in a book store. Book stores back then also sold fabric to dressmakers. I always saw people coming in and out of that store buying elegant or simple fabrics and I think just watching this started my interest. Which I believe was also my reason for leaving that job and working as an apprentice for Swan and Edgar a larger fabric fern.

Another huge attribute to my interest, that I later realized was the artwork and many paintings I admired at art galleries. I remember that the National Gallery, especially influenced my interest. I greatly admired the portraits in these exhibitions; but what stood out to me in these paintings was how the artist portrayed the clothing of our time. I remember how astonished I was in the detail they put into their art. I found all the portraits I saw to be beautiful and as you can tell in much of my work, there was often lots of influence from these paintings and the clothes in each persons' portrait.

Z: What role did mentors play in helping you develop the interest and talents you have as an artist?
C: Looking back in my life, I guess I would have to say that my jobs impacted my interest in fashion/dressmaking. Each job I had my bosses played a part in my strive to develop my skills and progress my interest. I looked upon my bosses and the head owners of the companies I worked for as aspiration for my self. Although I would not call any of these people mentors, being around them definitely impacted my determination.

However working for Lewis and Allenby was the biggest attribute in striking my interest and skill in fashion design. I had worked in other fabric stores before working there; but Lewis and Allenby is where my understanding of the work force of fashion started. I learned about textiles. I also observed much of the business. I would definitely say that working for them, started much of my development. After my apprenticeship, I realized that dress making was a career I wanted to work in and I remember vowing to be a part of it.

Z: What was the world of art like in your particular field when you entered it?
C: The world of dress making or fashion was very different and shall I just say, I was definitely not afraid to go around or change the known boundaries. For many women depending upon their social class they either went to fabric ferns and purchased fabric or they went to dressmaker shops and created request for what they wanted made.
Women's clothing was extravagant. Tightly made corsets: several layers of petticoats, tight bodices and sleeves, and large skirts attached. Women were expected to wear only what was in trend. They were expected of quite a lot in beauty.

Clothing for women was very impractical, heavy, and large but it was beautiful and yes, quite extravagant. Realizing the many aspects of women's lives, I created more practical outfits for all women. I did many things that were unheard of during my time. I created new barriers for design; that I feel was the reason I progressed. I saw how in discomfort women were in much of their clothes and I believed in changing that.

Z: How did the major cultural, economic and political situations of the time impact your work?
C: Being that my career was during the industrial era, there were many things that expanded and helped my career. The industrialization created a large and fast growing market for textiles, which meant easy access to fabrics. The newly invented sewing machine had impacted my work greatly. With the sewing machine I was capable of producing clothes more efficienctly in quicker time for my customers. Since there were more jobs, there was also a higher standard of living. This higher standard of living meant people wanted and bought better quality clothing, which created more customers.

My career greatly expanded in success during the new empire. The Second Empire created new economic advances. With the new reign of leaders, there was a new profound apreciation for luxurious things and a greater economy. These economic advances created more and more customers for me. For the first time not only royals, but more common people had the ability to buy luxurious goods. Women were buying more luxurious clothing and several looks for all the parties they were attending. It truly advanced my success and career.

Z: What were your major accomplishments and the methods you used in your art?
C: Being one of the very first sucessful men in a female dominated career during this time in itself was a major accomplishment, but there was much more success to mention. I being a man designing clothes for women, I already had the interest of people but my courage to change things in fashion increasingly brought up people's attention. I worked with more luxurious fabrics. I always believed in supporting local fabric weavers and silk mill owners, and having these luxurious fabrics I created millions of looks. I was one of the first to create more efficient looks for women, and ready to wear clothes.

Often realizing how little women had practical clothes for other events besides parties, I also was a first to create: outerwear, maternity dresses, and clothes for mourning. I was the first to create interchangeable pieces, that were more efficient of course. I also was the first to create sample looks ahead of time and use models for full collections. As you can see I was a driven designer and not at all afraid to create a different look. I feel because of much of my creativity, it lead to a great load of success and I am so proud to be known as the father of haute couture.

Z: What were the key opportunities you had that led to turning points in your life and art?
C: The key opportunities I had came directly from my experience. Even though working at a young age was rough, I learned to use it as my benefit. I learned at a young age about how shops function. I learned from working, what career I wanted to choose; even if it was risky. I would say that the opportunity to work in stores that sold fabrics, increased my understanding in the business. It also increased my understanding in social or economic areas of the time, which are all great qualities for my career choice.

I would also say that my opurtunities began with my mother. For my mother of course needed me to work as well, for enough income to care for us both. Although I had to work, she found a job she knew was suitable and safe for me. She and myself created more opportunities because with my discovery of interest in fashion and her support I strived for success and achieved so. Of course these opportunities were the decisions and several times I was able to work in fabric ferns and learn more about the industry.

Z: What hardships or roadblocks did you have to overcome in order to be an artist?
C: Growing up I had a father who was an alcoholic and a gambler and at the age of Eleven, I remember him leaving us. I didn't quite understand at that young of an age why he left or for the many changes that resulted from that choices, it wasn't until I was older that I understood that he had gone bankrupt and everything had changed. It was because of my father's downfall and abandence that I began working at such a young age. Working at a young age wasn't as terrible as it could've been though; because I had a mother who found a job that would be suitable and safe for me.
From a young age I swore to myself that I would not become my father and I promised I would achieve success.

My father's poor decisions and the support of my mother were the reason for my driven motivation. As any artist, you are always going to have hardships and struggles; I knew this. I was lucky because I feel I had a pretty smooth journey to success, but of course with all things there were moments. Striving to work in a female dominated career was hard and very stressful; for people didn't believe a man could achieve success designing clothes for women. Of course like all people starting a business there were often times where in the beginning money was an issue. I had to use cheaper quality fabrics in the start, which meant less money to be made. Besides the worries of those, I always stayed driven and used my passion to progress and reach the point I have now.

Z: What personal stories best illustrate how you became successful in the arts?
C: I have mentioned many of the reasons that have affected my success in the field of fashion. However there has been one thing I have yet to mention; my beautiful wife Marie. She had been one of the models at the shop Maison Gagelin I had worked at and how beautiful I thought she was. We met at work and soon after time spent we were both in love. How lucky I am to have found someone like her. From the moment I met her she became an inspiration, for all I wanted was to create beautiful looks for my beautiful love.

I began designing clothing for Marie and to this day I still believe this to be the point when things began to change and my career had started. More and more woman began admiring Marie's outfits. Women began asking me to design looks for them too. I began buying fabrics and created ready to wear looks for woman. With the success of my sales expanding I eventually began my own business. This is how my company we know as The House Of Worth truly began.

Z: How did your work impact the world of art?
C: I feel my work greatly impacted the world of art. Fashion was copletely different before I entered the field and after I began working in it. I believe that my creativity of new ideas created a new way of creating clothing. I also feel as one of the first men to reach success in the field of fashion; it has created a new perspective. I believe that I have affected the lives of many women as well.

My work has been showcased in magazines and I believe has evoked new and effective ways of design. Women now have looks for all occasions, even practical. People work with interchangeable pieces, that are more efficient. I have seen more designers create sample collections ahead of time to introduce. I personally believe I have changed many things about the fashion industry. I am very proud of all I have accomplished and as a man who rose to success, I want you to know as well that you can too.


Sources:
1. Father of Haute Couture: Worth
 By: Diana de Marly

2. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/wrth/hd_wrth.htm

3. http://www.thefashionhistorian.com/2010/03/charles-frederick-worth.html?m=1

4. http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Charles_Frederick_Worth.aspx

5. http://www.napoleon.org/en/reading_room/articles/files/471885.asp

6. http://www.beautifully-invisible.com/2012/11/charles-frederick-worth-the-origin-of-the-fashion-show.html

7. http://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Frederick-Worth

8. http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution

9. http://www.academia.edu/6294129/History_of_Design_and_Fashion_Industrial_Revolution

10. http://www.lovetoknow.com/about-lovetoknow.htm

11. http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/people/worth-charles-frederick.html