Edward Molyneux
(1891-1974)
Edward Molyneux was born on September 5, 1891 in Hampstead, London. He started his career as a freelance sketcher. He won a competition by Lucile in 1911, and later worked in her House in London. After serving as a captain in the British Army
in World War I, Molyneux opened his own house in Paris, France.
By 1925, Molyneaux had branches in Monte Carlo; Cannes, in 1927; London, in 1932. In 1939, he moved his business to London, due to the war, until 1946 when he returned to Paris. Molyneaux is best known for his work in the 1920s and 1930s. His reputation was based on the purity of line and cut of his tailored suits, pleated skirts and discreet matching ensembles. During the 1930s, he promoted the "little black dress," clothes inspired in the Orient with bamboo motifs, dirndl skirts and bias-cut dresses.
Pierre Balmain and Marc Bohan are among those who worked for him. Molyneux designs lacked superfluous decoration, and were considered conservative. His designs were described as “temples of subdued elegance,” by Pierre Balmain. Balmain further praised Molyneux's consistent, reserved, understated couture, one often barely noticed by the fashion press, yet the manifestation of a conservative, continuous style. However by the end of the 1930s, he experimented with a newly narrowed waist; one that later Dior called the “New Look.”
From 1946-1949, Molyneux ventured into furs, perfume, lingerie, and millinery. In 1950 he turned his business over to Jacques Griffe and retired. Molyneux briefly reopened his buisness in 1965 under the name Studio Molyneux. His fragrances included Numero Cinq, which was launched in 1926; Vivre, launched in 1930 and Rue Royale, launched in 1943.
His label continued until his death on March 23, 1974 in Monte Carlo, France.
