Edward Molyneux

French, born England, 1891–1974

LocationFrance

Birth placeEngland

SchoolEnglish

Biography(1891-1974) Captain Edward Molyneux got his start in fashion when he entered and won a design competition sponsored by Lucile, the London couturiere, in 1911. He went to work for her as a sketcher. In 1914 he joined the British army where he distinguished himself in battle.
After the war he opened his own fashion house in Paris, and soon added branches in other French cities as well as London. He was known for clothing that was perfectly tailored and very wearable. During the 30s he designed elegant evening dresses with matching coats.

Molyneux returned to London during WWII, where he worked designing Utility clothing - garments that met the strict fabric conservation laws that were in place during the war.

He returned to Paris after the war and reopened his couture house. Increasingly poor health caused him to close his London business in 1949, and his Paris operation in 1950. He retired to the West Indies, but opened Studio Molyneux, a high quality ready-to-wear line, in 1964. He retired for good in 1969, but Studio Molyneux continued under the direction of John Tullis untill 1977, when it closed.

Person TypePerson