PARIS.- As the Musée des Arts Décoratifs unveils its first monographic exhibition dedicated to Paul Poiret, and Paris prepares to mark the centenary of Art Deco, Christie's presents a remarkable ensemble that captures the essence of Art Deco fashion and its visionary creators.

On November 18th, during The Exceptional Sale, an embroidered muff signed by Paul Poiret will be offered for the first time on the market (€30,000–40,000). A central figure in Parisian haute couture, Paul Poiret played a major role in liberating women's bodies. Bold and colorful, his creations often featured Orientalist lines and were chosen for the inaugural issue of the luxurious magazine Modes et Manières d'Aujourd'hui, created in 1912 by Pierre Corrard.

Georges Lepape, well known for the covers he later created for Vogue in New York, was selected to illustrate the magazine's first issue. A remarkable set of thirteen original plates by Georges Lepape will be auctioned at Christie's on November 18th (€40,000–50,000).

Additional highlight is Pierre Corrard's personal copy of the first issue of Modes et Manières d'Aujourd'hui, preserved until today by the descendants of Pierre and Nicole Corrard. This edition, numbered two out of a limited edition of 300, is enriched by an elegant Art Deco binding by André Mare, featuring Iribe's iconic rose motif (€8,000–12,000).

”En habillant l'époque”, Paul Poiret

In his autobiography En habillant l'époque (1930), Poiret extensively discusses his grand vision: to create a global world that unites fashion and art. Beyond couture, he extended his creativity to decorative arts and furniture, founding in 1911 the Atelier Martine, named after his daughter. The rose motif, dear to the designer, appears on interior fabrics, cushions, and screens, and notably on the embroidered muff presented in this sale (€30,000–40,000). This muff may have been embroidered by the Atelier Martine using a ribbon applique embroidery technique, or ribbon embroidery. The central flower adorning the muff also recalls the famous rose by illustrator Paul Iribe. Poiret collaborated extensively with Iribe, including on the creation of the 1913 dress known as “La Rose d'Iribe” which is currently exhibited at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Muffs, dear both in style and sentiment to Paul Poiret, regularly appeared in fashion magazines such as La Gazette du Bon Ton, illustrated notably by Georges Lepape. The muff that Poiret gave to Nicole Corrard as thanks—along with her husband—for choosing his creations for the first issue of Modes et Manières d'Aujourd'hui, is now being offered at auction for the first time. This muff, presented in its original box, is in perfect condition. Its sale follows shortly after the record price achieved by Le Minaret, a Paul Poiret ensemble that was a highlight of the 2024 edition of The Exceptional Sale.

Art Deco Fashion: A Story of Friendship

In 1912, Pierre Corrard created the magazine Modes et Manières d'Aujourd'hui, for which he wrote the preface and captions. His wife, Nicole Corrard, continued publication after his death in combat during World War I. Seven issues were published until 1923. The thirteen original plates from the first issue were painted by Georges Lepape, a famous French fashion illustrator, poster artist, engraver, and designer. These issues, many enriched with original watercolors and from the Corrard collection, will be presented in the Rare Books and Manuscripts sale, online from October 22 to November 5.

A student at the Humbert Academy, Georges Lepape exhibited at the 1910 Autumn Salon where he met Paul Poiret and became friends with him. In 1911, he illustrated Les Choses de Paul Poiret vues par Georges Lepape, considered his masterpiece and which earned him immediate renown. For La Gazette du Bon Ton, launched in 1912, he created splendid stencil-colored plates. The bold layouts and luxuriously colored plates he designed for Pierre Corrard's magazine magnificently showcased Poiret's creations. The thirteen original gouaches offered in the sale rank among the finest illustrations of that era (€40,000–50,000).