This Petit Précis de Mode was written by Catherine Ormen, Curator of the Musée de la Mode. The first part of this trombinoscope presented the Museum's fashion heritage since its creation in 1989. A mosaic of couturiers, individual stories, original career paths, multiple experiences, all part of the history of fashion. It was the perfect opportunity to highlight the generosity and interest of donors and patrons, approached by the Institut Mode Méditerranée (IMM) to help build up this heritage: "Six hundred Haute Couture and Prêt-à- Porter ensembles, representing a patronage worth seven million francs, have been collected and donated: Azzedine Alaïa, Balmain, Chanel, Jean Rémy Daumas, Jean Patou, Raphaël , Popy Moreni, Paco Rabanne , Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent .....".
The second chapter was conceived as a tribute to the important donation from Madame Raymonde Rodrigues-Ely. She had contacted me to inform me of her intention to give us a wardrobe, comprising 40 Chanel Haute Couture outfits and accessories (1950/1970). A beautiful and moving meeting took place in the salon of her Hôtel particulier overlooking Boulevard Michelet. Mademoiselle Chanel's most beautiful classics - dresses, suits and coats - accompanied the career of this shipowner's wife, ambassador of the art of entertaining and traveling. This exceptional donation was the perfect complement to the Chanel collection of 24 Haute Couture ensembles, 13 of which came from Mademoiselle Chanel's personal wardrobe.
