Jean Patou was a French fashion designer known for his eponymous brand. A creative genius of the 20th century’s fashion industry, he designed the then-daring knee-length cut and sleeveless tennis wear for Suzanne Lenglen which she wore in 1921. This simple look, also referred to as ‘la garconne,’ made him an iconic designer. Born in Normandy to a prosperous tanner, Patou initially intended to become a couturier. He moved to Paris in 1910 and started a small dressmaking salon. The World War I interrupted his business and led to its shutdown. After serving in the army for four years, he restarted his salon in 1919. Patou launched a simple style of dress that earned the attention of the most chic ladies in the city and became a success. In 1923, he launched a fragrance line with his brother-in-law and soon emerged as a fashion leader alongside his contemporaries Chanel and Lanvin. Following his sudden death in 1936, his brother-in-law became the sole proprietor of his business.
