How Paris Fashion Survived Nazi Occupation (Part One)

In the autumn of 1940, the German authorities in occupied Paris drew up a plan to move the entire French couture industry - the ateliers, the pattern cutters, the embroiderers - to Berlin and Vienna. It didn't happen, because one middle-aged couturier, Lucien Lelong, spent four years talking German officials out of it, meeting by meeting. This episode covers how Paris fashion survived the occupation: who left, who stayed, what the regulations actually allowed, and who was left buying couture in a city where clothing was rationed to about one outfit a year. This is Part One of a two-part episode - Part Two covers the collaboration, the theft, and the people who fought back. ------------- Find our Podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music or where ever you listen to your podcasts. We have a Substack as well - https://thefashionmemoir1.substack.com/ ------------- 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.