Why Paris's Last Queen Cut Up Her Couture Gowns | Jacqueline de Ribes

She inspired Dior, Saint Laurent, and Valentino — then launched her own fashion label at 53. Jacqueline de Ribes was called "the last queen of Paris" by Valentino himself. A French countess who survived Nazi occupation, became a muse to the greatest designers of the 20th century, and refused to follow a single rule. She cut apart couture gowns to rebuild them. She layered turtlenecks under evening dresses. She arrived at costume balls after dessert just to make a better entrance. In 1983, she stunned the fashion world by launching her own ready-to-wear line — with Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Emanuel Ungaro watching from the front row. Within two years, she was grossing three million dollars annually. Her clients included Nancy Reagan, Cher, and Joan Collins. In 2015, the Metropolitan Museum of Art honoured her with a solo exhibition drawing nearly 200,000 visitors. She passed away on 30th December 2025, aged 96. This is her story. ------------- Watch our other videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM3OqLHVo6eGkl86dsCJlWdQg9UNuNoWm https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM3OqLHVo6eH5hSfUOdjVzGLZxfJOKbeG -------------- 💬 Which fashion icon should we explore next? Let me know what you think in the comments. 👍 Like, 🔔 subscribe, and click the bell so you never miss an icon. https://www.youtube.com/@TheFashionMemoir ✨ Remember: in fashion as in life, be fearless and fabulous — this is The Fashion Memoir.