Callot Soeurs

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Callot Soeurs was a fashion design house opened in 1895 at 24, rue Taitbout in Paris, France. It was operated by the four Callot sisters: Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand, Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell and Joséphine Callot Crimont. The eldest sister, Marie, was trained in dressmaking and they were all taught by their mother, a lacemaker. The sisters began working with antique laces and ribbons to enhance blouses and lingerie. Their success led to an expansion into other clothing and in 1914 they moved to larger premises on the Avenue Matignon. Marie Callot Gerber, the elder sister was in charge of design, having earlier worked for the Raudnitz and Co., prominent Parisian dressmakers.

Couturier Madeleine Vionnet apprenticed at Callot upon her return to Paris. It was here that she refined her technique in couture.

Callot Soeurs sold a line of clothing known for its exotic detail. They were among the first designers to use gold and silver lamé to make dresses. During the 1920s they were one of the leading fashion houses in Paris, catering to an exclusive clientele from across Europe and the United States.

In 1928 Pierre Gerber, Marie Callot Gerber's son, took over the business but could not survive in the highly competitive market and in 1937 Callot Soeurs was absorbed into the House of Calvet (Marie-Louise Calvet); under the Callot label. However, World War II made matters difficult in France. Similarly to what happened with the House of Vionnet, Calvet and the Callot label finally closed in 1948 (although by some accounts the house officially closed in 1954).

In 1988, the House of Vionnet was revived by the Lummen family; and given the importance of the Callot label and their contribution to the world of haute couture, there is a strong possibility that luxury goods label Marcela Calvet, will be bringing the Calvet -Caillot label back to the forefront of couture in the XXI century.