Nina Ricci Couture (Firm)
Dates
- Existence: 1932-
Biography
Nina Ricci, the French fashion house known for feminine, ladylike clothing and famous perfumes, was founded in 1932 by Nina Ricci, born Maria Nielli, a seamstress turned couture salon stylist, and her son, Robert.
From the start, elegant French women and their daughters streamed through the doors of maison Ricci, seeking debutante dresses, party frocks, and wedding trousseaux distinguished by fine details and luxurious fabrics. To achieve her figure-flattering cuts, the seasoned dressmaker draped on a live model, pinning and snipping with a couturier’s care.
In the ’50s, authorized copies of Nina Ricci couture designs could be found stateside at high-end retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel. By the ’60s, the house was at the forefront of an emerging trend in Paris couture: ready-to-wear. Mademoiselle Ricci, made for the American market, debuted in 1962.
In 1998, the house was acquired by Spanish company Puig. The couture division was shuttered, and Canadian designer Nathalie Gervais was given the task of creating a new identity for the brand. Perfume sales had long been the company’s strongest source of profits—in particular, the best-selling L’Air du Temps, with its instantly recognizable Lalique flacon—but from now on the firm would concentrate on ready-to-wear.
Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:
1992 February, 1992
This folder contains a column on Parisian haute couture and reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Philippe Venet, Pierre Cardin, Givenchy, Nina Ricci and photocopies of photos of ensembles by Valentino.
1992 February, 1992
This folder contains a column on Paris haute couture and two black and white photos of a dress by Christian Dior and reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Nina Ricci, Givenchy, Philippe Venet, and Christian Lacroix.
1992 July, 1992
This folder contains a column on Paris couture and reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Philippe Venet, Pierre Cardin, Nina Ricci, Givenchy, and Christian Dior.
1992 November, 1992
This folder contains a column on Oscar de la Renta, a bio of Oscar de la Renta and black and white photos of ensembles by de la Renta, Christian Dior, Emanuel Ungaro and reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Nina Ricci, Christian Lacroix, and photocopies of photos of ensembles by unidentified designers.
1993 February, 1993
This folder contains a column on Paris couture and black and white photocopies of sketches of ensembles by Oscar de la Renta, Gianfranco Ferre, Givenchy, Nina Ricci, and Balmain.
1993 January, 1993
April 9-10, 1994, 1994
This folder contains a column on the bare look and black and white photos of ensembles by Gerard Pipart for Nina Ricci, Hot Sox , and Carolina Herrera and 8x10" black and white negatives.
August 5-6, 1995, 1995
This folder contains a column on Paris couture and black and white photos of Oscar de la Renta and reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Nina Ricci, Givenchy and Christian Dior and 8x10' negatives.
August 19-20, 1995, 1995
This folder contains a column on classic design and black and white photos of ensembles by Bernard Perris for Jean-Louis Scherrer, Emanuel Ungaro and Giancarlo Ferre and black and white reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Givenchy, Nina Ricci and Christian Lacroix and 8x10" negatives.
January 27-28, 1990, 1990
This folder contains a column, and 14 8x10 black and white photographs of designs by Chanel, Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, Christian Lacroix, and Givenchy for Paris Couture