Founding of Marchandes de Modes (1776)

In August 1776, a reorganisation of Paris guild structures created the Marchandes de modes, a guild for women fashion merchants, feather-dressers, and flower-makers, with Marie-Jeanne [Rose] Bertin at its head. It was the fourth women's guild in Paris and remained active until the guild system's abolition in 1791.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Before 1776, working as a fashion merchant in Paris was tied to marital status: it was necessary to be the wife of a mercer to practice the trade. The profession was formalized in a guild named Marchandes de modes (English: "Fashion Merchant") between 1776 and 1791, covering ornaments for headdresses, hats, and dresses within the city of Paris.

Founding of the Guild. In August 1776, the reorganisation of guild structures saw the creation of a guild for the "fashion merchants, feather-dressers, and flower-makers of the city and the suburbs of Paris," with Marie-Jeanne [Rose] Bertin at its head. The organisation was the fourth guild in Paris open to women, following the Maîtresses marchandes lingères, the Maîtresses couturières, and the Maîtresses bouquetières.

Significance and Later Fate. The guild played a dominating role within the commercial life and fashion industry of France during the last decades prior to the French Revolution. It remained active until it was abolished with the abolition of the guild system in 1791.

People involved

Sources

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