RIP André Courrèges
André Courrèges’s family has confirmed that the space-age couturier died yesterday in Paris, finally succumbing to Parkinson’s disease. He was 92.
Courrèges began his trailblazing career at the age of 25 with an apprenticeship with Cristóbal Balenciaga. In 1961 he launched his own house, showcasing his signature white mini-dress, pantsuit, and flat boots.
Occupying the space between modernism and futurism, Courrèges was responsible for many of the fabric and design innovations of the 60s. Both he and London designer Mary Quant claimed to have invented the mini-skirt.
He retired from fashion in the 90s, leaving his wife and partner Coqueline to run the label until 2011, when it was sold. Following a revamp of the beauty line, in May of 2015 it was announced that the house appointed young French designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant as artistic directors.
Diana Ross in Courrèges (1966)
Model in Courrèges (1968)
Model in Courrèges
Models in Courrèges
Catherine Deneuve in Courrèges
Model in Courrèges, photo by John French
Photo by Helmut Newton (1971)
Astrid Heeren in Courrèges, photo by Philippe Pottier (1963)
Models in Courrèges, photo by Willy Rizzo (1965)
Models in Courrèges (1964)
Models in Courrèges, photo by William Klein
Audrey Hepburn in Courrèges from the film How to Steal a Million (1966)