The First American Coutourier

Born in Chicago in 1890, Main Rousseau Bocher was an unlikely man to become a couturier. When he opened his Paris salon in 1930, he had very little formal training. Despite being an American working in the tightly guarded tradition of French couture, by 1931 his designs were presented in the fashion press alongside those by Vionnet, Molyneux, and Chanel.

Learn more in this Google Arts & Culture story.

Exhibition-GAC-Making Mainbocher-dress detail Evening dress detail, 1966. Silk. Mainbocher, United States.Gift of Mrs. Dorothy H. Rautbord, 1980.88.7a-c. CHM, ICHi-088940
Exhibition-GAC-Making Mainbocher-dress back Evening dress back detail, 1946. Silk tulle. Mainbocher, United States. Gift of Mrs. Clive Runnells. 1967.218a-b. CHM, ICHi-088829
Exhibition-GAC-Making Mainbocher-dress neck detail Neckline detail of evening dress, 1944. Silk brocade. Mainbocher, United States. Gift of Mrs. A. Watson Armour III. 1959.348. CHM, ICHi-088987
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