The House of Worth

Young man, you know the Maison Worth, which has always dressed the Courts of the whole world. It possesses the most exalted and richest clientele but today this clientele does not dress exclusively in the robes of State. Sometimes princesses take the omnibus, and go on foot in the streets. My brother Jean has always refused to make a certain order of dresses, for which he feels no inclination: simple and practical dresses which none the less, we are asked for. We are like some great restaurant, which would refuse to serve aught but truffles. It is therefore, necessary for us to create a department for fried potatoes.

Gaston Worth's job offer to a young Paul Poiret (circa 1901)- from the book "The house of Worth: Portrait of an archive" by Amy De La Haye and Valerie D. Mendes, published by V&A publishing