Lapidus, Ted

▪ 2009

Edmond Lapidus 

      French fashion designer

born June 23, 1929, Paris, France

died Dec. 29, 2008, Cannes, France

revolutionized the Paris fashion world in the 1960s with the introduction of high-style blue jeans, ready-to-wear unisex clothing, the tailored military look for women, and, especially, sand-coloured safari suits. Lapidus, the son of a Russian immigrant tailor, apprenticed in his father's profession and studied fashion design when he was unable to afford medical school. After working (1949–51) for the House of Dior, he launched (1951) his own label and opened (1957) an haute couture salon. Lapidus showed his first Paris collection in 1963, the same year that he scandalized many of his competitors by agreeing to market affordable, mass-produced ready-to-wear clothing in La Belle Jardinière's chain of budget shops. He later expanded his line into fashion accessories and opened (1974) a boutique in New York City.

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