Trigère, Pauline

Pauline Trigère was born in France in 1909.  The daughter of a tailor, she knew how to use a sewing machine at age 10 and assisted her mother in dressmaking. She moved to New York in 1937, later becoming assistant designer for Hattie Carnegie.  In 1942 she opened her own fashion house, which was managed by her brother, Robert. By 1945 Pauline was a well respected designer, featured in publications such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She received her first Coty Award in 1952.

In the 1950s Pauline Trigère launched her costume jewelry collection, designed to coordinate with her beautiful suits.  Some of her many well known clients were Lena Horne, the Duchess of Windsor and actress Claudette Colbert.  Some credit Ms. Trigère for the elegant wardrobe worn by Patricia Neal in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Her jewelry is often large with basic but dramatic lines, made in heavy Rhodium plate with clear pave rhinestones. The construction is very interesting as designs are composed of smaller elements attached by what appears to be, nothing!  This is accomplished by the use of jump rings soldered to the back of the piece, in strategically hidden locations.

Pauline Trigère to this day still dresses and accessorizes celebrities.  Her designs and her wonderful costume jewelry are worn by Hollywood, Winona Ryder is one example. Pauline Trigère passed away in 2002.