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Boue Sisters
6
The 1989 edition, volume 15 of Dress featured an article explaining the history and journey of Sylvie and Jeanne Boue, the sisters responsible for America's Haute couture industry.
It tells the story of their beginnings in both Paris and New York City, told by the son of Sylvie Boue Montegut.
Bibliography
Montegut, Philippe. (1989). Boue Soeurs, The First Haute-Couture Establishment in America. Dress, Volume 15, pp. 78-87.
Boue Soeurs
The first Haute-couture establishment in America
Sylvie Boue Montegut
Bailey Prisock
1915
1930
1957
1939
1953
1918
1954
1959
Sylvie was the oldest of the Boue sisters. An artist who was determined and driven, she set out from an early age to create "the most beautiful dresses in the world."
When she was old enough, she went to work for a pair of old dressmakers. This shop would later become Boue Soeurs.
In the early years of the establishment, before WWI, Sylvie managed the house in Paris, taking care of the local noble clientele.
After the New York branch was established, she traveled the United States showing lingerie and fragrance lines produced by the sisters.
She continued to travel between France and the United States until WWII.
The New York house
closes its doors
The Paris house closes
The shop moves to
the rue de la Paix
In spite of the failed efforts of Sylvies daughter, the
Boue Soeurs name disappears
Sylvie and Jeanne Boue work for dressmakers on the rue du Helder
WWII ends, Jeanne
becomes anchor of
US house, Sylvie
travels throughout Europe
to reestablish contacts
Boue Soeurs leaves
the rue de la Paix,
the Boue Soeurs
begins to decline
Sylvie Boue Montegut dies
Jeanne Boue d'Etreillis dies
Jeanne travels to
America to show
the sisters' designs
at the Hotel Plaza
Boue Soeurs opens
in America
Jeanne Boue d'Etreillis
Three years younger, Jeanne Boue was her sister's steady, level-headed counterpart.
In the early years, Jeanne could be considered the business-minded sister, traveling through Europe showing the house's designs to Russian and Egyptian royalty.
She was the first sister to travel to America in hopes of establishing a name there. On her own in New York, she hosted a fashion show at the Hotel Plaza, showing the designs of the Paris house.
After WWI, Jeanne served as the anchor for the New York store, handling all its business from America.
She established a Palm Beach branch as much of the house's clientele traveled south for the winter. There she showed a winter collection.
Helping her sister design, Jeanne had a more practical view of haute couture, making their designs both beautiful and functional.