Philippe et Gaston

Philippe et Gaston was a Paris couture house established in 1922.^[1] It rapidly became a prestigious establishment. In 1926 it was ranked alongside Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet and Jeanne Lanvin as a notable French fashion house.^[2] By 1931, it was well known enough to rate a mention in Bruno Jasieński's 1931 play The Ball of the Mannequins.^[3] However, by 1946, the house was in need of resurrection.^[4] That year, the French textile baron, entrepreneur, and one of France's richest men, Marcel Boussac invited Christian Dior to become head designer for Philippe et Gaston and rejuvenate the brand.^[1] Dior declined, as he wanted to launch his own label under his own terms, rather than resurrect an "old-fashioned and rundown house."^[1] Boussac and Dior subsequently launched Christian Dior S. A.^[1][4]

Two 1920s garments by the House, an evening gown and a fur-trimmed coat, are in the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.^[5][6]