Although the art of Haute Couture has long been dominated by the French, it owes its inception to an Englishman, Charles Frederick Worth. He moved to Paris in 1845 and worked at the House of Gagelin. In 1857 he formed his own company 'The House of Worth' at 7, rue de la Paix.

Within 10 years Worth had become a highly influential and respected couturier. He broke away from the tradition of 'dressmakers' and became the first 'dress artist', an incomparable 'dress composer'. A businessman as much as a visionary, he pioneered several technical innovations such as sewing and embroidering machines, lace frames and chemical dyes to create superb colours.

Worth was the first to use live models, as opposed to mannequins, to show his creations. He also made the principle of seasonal collections universal.

Among his famous clients were: Princess Pauline of Metternich, the Empress Eugénie of Montijo and numerous ladies of the royal court circles. His patronage over the years to Europe's royalty and nobility gave Worth the opportunity to become a dictator of fashion and style - the epicentre of haute couture.

"In the 19th Century, the name of Charles Frederick Worth, had a cult status enjoyed today by Chanel, Prada or Gucci." (The Daily Telegraph, 20.01.03)