Paul Poiret, whose career spanned both the Belle Epoque and the Roaring 1920s, was the first true fashion designer. But he was not just a consummate master of couture, he was also an extraordinary man - an innovator in the fields of perfume, textiles and furnishings, and the host of some of the most extravagant parties ever enjoyed by Parisian high society. Poiret embraced every aspect of art and life - theatre, painting, ballet, literature, cabaret, gastronomyâ?¦ His rise to fame was meteoric, but by the end of his life he had descended into poverty and obscurity. Nevertheless, he left an indelible mark on our century. And his exotic dresses, in bold, eye-catching colors and luxurious fabrics remain as examples of the work of an artist from whom today's designers continue to draw inspiration. François Baudot is a journalist and writer, and a main reporter for Elle Décor. His other titles in the Assouline Fashion Memoir series are Chanel, Alaïa, Christian Lacroix, Schiaparelli and Yohji Yamamoto.
