Edmond Lapidus was born in Paris, France in 1929, the son of a Russian tailor. He studied technical engineering in Tokyo, Japan. However his father encouraged him to take up fashion designing.

He went to Paris in the early 50's and after a short apprenticeship with Dior, he opened a boutique. He designed his clothes as a technician, concerned as much with cut as with design. His précis garments soon earned him recognition.

During the 60's, he produced a safari jacket which became widely popular. Lapidus' ideas were perfectly in tune with the Unisex styles of that decade and he made his name in both mens and womens wear.

Since the mid 70's, his clothes have become far more classic in style. This is a typically romantic, crepe georgette dress covered with heavy embroidery and beading from 1977, worn by his favourite model Lilo. It is a relaxed shape which is dressed down with a peasant neckline and tiered skirt.

In the 1980's, Olivier Lapidus took over from his father and managed the house. He used the name of Olivier Montague. He has brought new ecology ideas into the fashion line, using plant fibres and gemstone powders as decorations.

Olivier presented his first collection for the Lapidus house in July 1989. He often mixes traditional fabrics like silk and organza with glass and carbon fibre and has even managed to develop a tweed woven out of rubber thread. In 1997, his collection was very much appreciated for it's revolutionary fabrics.

On the right is a Lapidus top embroidered by the famed Paris house of Lesage, included in the 1998 collection.

The house is particularly known for it's fragrance line and has brought out several good perfumes in recent years.

1977 Vu (W)
1984 Creation (W)
1985 Fantasme
1987 Ted Lapidus for women
1987 Ted Lapidus for men
1997 Fou d'Elle (w)
1999 Ted (for men)
2001 Lapidus Woman
2003 TL Pour Elle (W)
2003 TL Pour Lui (M)





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A/W 2003