Paris
France
Address
39 Avenue Montaigne
Paris, 75008
France
FMD-ID
BR94
Phone
+33 1 40 88 45 45 Fax +33 1 40 88 45 67

About

founded by

Maria Nielli

belongs to

Puig

about

The house of Nina Ricci is a fashion house that was founded by Maria "Nina" Ricci and her son Robert in Paris in 1932. Nina Ricci designed gowns while Robert managed the business and finances. She worked with the fabrics directly on the mannequin to ensure they had shape once they were finished. Nina Ricci designs soon became known for the refined, romantic, always feminine feeling Maria adds to all of her collections.

In 1945, with the war over, designers were casting about for a way to revive the infatuation women had formerly had with haute couture, while raising money for war relief. Robert Ricci had an idea which Lucien Lelong, President of the Chambre, put into action. Over 150 mannequins from 40 Paris couturiers, including Balenciaga and Madame Gres, were dressed in the labels' best fashions and were placed in an exhibition held at the Louvre, in Paris. After a huge success in Paris it toured Europe and then the USA.

In 1946 Robert created his first fragrance, Coeur Jolie. In 1948 Robert came up with another fragrance, L�Air du Temps, the brand's most popular fragrance, which continues to be a top seller today.

By the early 50s Nina Ricci was nearing 70 and she slowly she ceased to take an active role in design, choosing to just keep an eye on the house. Her son chose the new head designer in 1954, the Belgian Jules-Francois Crahay.

Crahay left Ricci in 1963 to go to Lanvin, and was immediately replaced by Gerard Pipart, who had worked at Balmain, Fath and Jean Patou prior to his new job. He continued to carry on the name of Ricci with beautiful and elegant dresses.

After Maria Ricci's death in 1970, Crahay was appointed head of the house. Robert continued to excel in perfumery and business until his death in 1988.

Massimo Guissain's family purchased the house of Nina Ricci in 1998 from Crahay. Massimo Guissain worked as a designer, but Nathalie Gervais had been the chief designer for the house for several years. She presented her last collection in Fall 2001. In May 2002 American designer James Aguiar took over as chief designer and designed for the House of Ricci for two seasons.

In 2003 Lars Nilsson took over the house of Ricci with shaky reviews from critics. He made a sudden redesign in early 2006, and then in September announced that Brussels-born designer Olivier Theyskens of Rochas would take over the role as head of the label.

The Look

Working directly with the fabric on a mannequin, Nina Ricci created elegant, sophisticated clothes in classic style. She was noted for her high standard of workmanship and became a popular designer for older society women. She was skilled at making the most of a print, cutting a plaid for an evening dress on the bias, echoing the X-cross in the skirt pattern in the surplice, crossed-over treatment of the bodice. One daring dress in 1937 had a halter neck open between the breasts from neck to waist. Day and evening dresses alike drew attention to the figure, by being fitted to below the waist and featuring much shirring and drapery.

Who Wears It

Amber Valletta, Keri Russell, Penelope Cruz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Pompeo, Reese Witherspoon, Ellen Pompeo, Calista Flockhart, Linsday Lohan,

Perfumes

1946 Coeur Joir (W)
1949 L'Air du Temps
1949 Douce
1956 Fille d'Eve (W)
1960 Capricci (W)
1965 Signor Ricci (M)
1967 Mademoiselle Ricci
1967 Capricci de Capricci (W)
1971 Bigarade (W)
1973 Farouche (W)
1976 Signor Ricci 2 (M)
1982 Fleur de Fleur (W)
1982 Eau de Fleurs (W)
1984 Phileas (M)
1987 Nina (W)
1989 Ricci Club (W)
1989 Ricci Club (M)
1994 Deci Dela
1996 Belles de Ricci (Liberte Acidulel (W)
1996 Liberty Fizz (W)
1999 Belles de Ricci (L'Almond Amour)(W)
1999 Belles de Ricci (Delice d'Epices)(W)
1999 Belles de Minuit (W)
1999 Amour d`Amandier (W)
2000 Belle de Minuit
2000 Premier Jour (W)
2002 Memoire d'Homme (M)
2003 Premier Jour Frisson d'Ete (W)
2004 Love in Paris (W)
2004 Love Fills l'Air du Temps (W)
2004 Les Belles de Ricci (Cherry Fantasy) (W)
2004 Premier Jour Soleil (W)
2005 Premier jour Lucky Day (W)
2006 L'Air du Temps Colombes Couleur (W)
2006 Love in Paris Christmas 2006 (W)
2006 Nina (W)
2007 L'Eau du Temps (W)
2008 Love in Paris Fleur de Pivoine (W)
2008 L`Air du Temps Couture Edition (W)
2008 Nina Gold Edition (W)
2008 Pretty Nina (W)

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