Wonderful Fashion Designs by Robert Piguet in the 1940s and Early ’50s

Robert Piguet (1898–1953) was a Swiss-born French fashion designer known for his elegant and refined haute couture collections. He opened his own fashion house in Paris in 1933, where he gained recognition for his sophisticated, streamlined designs. Piguet was influential in shaping Parisian fashion in the 1930s, and his creations were admired for their luxurious fabrics and feminine silhouettes.

Though his name is less well-known today, Piguet made a lasting impact on the industry, mentoring notable designers like Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy. The Piguet fashion house ran from 1933 to 1951; since then, the brand Robert Piguet has been associated exclusively with fragrances.

These vintage photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Robert Piguet in the 1940s and early 1950s.

Dorian Leigh in cocktail dress by Robert Piguet, photographed by Richard Avedon in Helena Rubinstein's apartment in Paris, Harper's Bazaar, October 1949

Model in black linen suit cut with a deep waving neckline and heavily embroidered in black, jacket fits snugly to the waist than smoothed roundly over the hips by Robert Piguet, photo by Jean Moral, Paris, Harper's Bazaar, June 1946

Doe Avedon in pale gray floral brocade dress with its matching little cape edged in fur by Robert Piguet, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, Paris, November 1947

Model in gala evening gown of irridescent green satin with beaded and embroidered bodice by Robert Piguet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1947

Barbara Mullen in a column of yellow chiffon, sculptured, knotted and swathed, with a black patent leather belt, by Robert Piguet, photo by Lillian Bassman at the Paris Opéra, Harper's Bazaar, May 1949

Jeanne Klein in yellow flowing chiffon dress with black enameled belt by Robert Piguet, photo by Richard Rutledge, Paris, Vogue, March 15, 1949

Model in dance dress of raspberry satin over black velvet by Robert Piguet, belt and gloves also black velvet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1949

Model in satin dinner dress with matching fur lined cape by Robert Piguet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1949

Model in yellow jersey dress with large checked cape-scarf, by Robert Piguet, photo by Georges Saad, 1949

Ariane in yellow and black print crêpe beachwear with matching scarf and sunhat by Robert Piguet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Barbara Goalen in black-and-white check shirtdress under an orange jacket fitted like a waistcoat in front and swinging loose behind by Robert Piguet, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1950

Bettina Graziani in gray lace dress, skirt is wound round with frilly lace ruffles, by Robert Piguet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Bettina Graziani in pleated mauve tulle dress worn with same shade satin coat, by Robert Piguet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Bettina Graziani in suit edged in velvet by Robert Piguet, photo by Irving Penn, American Vogue, September 1950

Model in black wool jacket bordered in silver-blue mink, by Robert Piguet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Sylvie Hirsch in violet wool redingote by Robert Piguet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Brigitte Bardot in dance dress, the bodice is white lace and the skirt is white moiré, decorated with yellow rose, by Robert Piguet, photo by Georges Saad, 1951

Dorian Leigh in blue and violet flowered chiffon dress, the bell skirt is draped up under a stiff petticoat by Robert Piguet, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, March 1951

Dorian Leigh in white tussore dress with black polka dots and a bow and fringed scarf of yellow grosgrain by Robert Piguet, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1951

Jean Dawnay in pale yellow chiffon and satin evening gown by Robert Piguet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Model in black alpaca wool suit with asymmetrical belted jacket that features very large wide lapels of white piqué by Robert Piguet, photo by Georges Saad, 1951

Model in yellow and black silk print dress worn with mustard wool coat by Robert Piguet, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1951

Suzy Parker is wearing an olive-green silk surah shirt with a soft neck-tie and three-quarter sleeves, by Robert Piguet, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar UK, June 1951