Jeanne Paquin

French fashion designer, known for her resolutely modern and innovative designs. She was the first major female couturier and one of the pioneers of the modern fashion business.

In 1891, Jeanne Marie Charlotte Beckers married Isidore René Jacob, who was also known as Paquin. Isidore owned Paquin Lalanne et cie, a couture house which had grown out of a menswear shop in the 1840s. The couple renamed the company Paquin and set about building the business.

Jeanne Paquin was the first couturier to send models dressed in her apparel to public events such as operas and horse races for publicity. Paquin also frequently collaborated with illustrators and architects such as Léon Bakst, George Barbier, Robert Mallet-Stevens, and Louis Süe. In 1913, a New York Times reporter described Jeanne as "the most commercial artist alive".

In 1913, Jeanne accepted France’s prestigious Legion d’Honneur in recognition of her economic contributions to the country – the first woman designer to receive the honour.

She died in 1936 in Paris.