Jean-Louis Scherrer was born in Paris, France in 1936. He was interested in dancing, but was unable to continue his career after a fall so he began to sketch. He studied fashion design at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture in Paris.

In 1955, his talent took him to the house of DIOR, where he worked with Yves St.LAURENT. When St. Laurent took over the house of Dior after the master died, Scherror joined the house of Louis Feraud till 1961. He set up his own house in 1962. His first collection was shown in the vaulted cellar of a wine dealer.

He produced couture and ready-to-wear clothes. His garments were classic, restrained and sometimes sombre and he was known for his sophisticated evening wear.

In the 60's, he brought out some designs of jackets with the Nehru collar, which was all the rage at the time.

In the 70's, he acquired many wives of affluent Arabs as his clientele, as his longer, covered-up designs satisfied the modesty required by such ladies, while also proclaiming their wealth. He also dressed ladies such as Baroness von Thyssen and Francoise Sagan.

Here on the left is a Vogue cover from March 1970, when Bianca Jagger (Mick Jagger's first wife) modelled a Scherrer hat and veil.

In 1971, he set up his ready-to-wear line. For twenty years, the house of Scherrer made beautiful dresses for the ladies of Paris and the world.

In 1992, the Japanese house of Seibu purchased the house so Jean-Louis Scherrer left the house that he had founded. Erik Mortensen and then Bernard Perry designed for the house briefly. Then in 2001, Seibu sold the house to France Luxury Group which also controls the house of Jacques Fath and Emanuelle Khahn..

Stephane Rolland

In 1997 Stephane Rolland (born 1966) shown here on the right, joined Scherrer to design the Haute Couture line and he still continues to do so today.

The gown shown on the left is by Stephane Rolland for the house of Scherrer for Spring/Summer 2002. This gown appeared in the exhibition "Goddess" held by the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of New York, in September 2003.

Ritu Beri

In 2001 the new owners appointed Ritu Beri, the inventive Indian designer, as the ready-to-wear designer for the house of Louis Scherrer.

Spring/Summer 2003

Ritu Beri presented the Scherrer Spring/Summer 2003 collection during Paris Fashion Week in October 2002 which was very well received. This is an outfit from that collection.

However in late 2002, Ritu Beri left the house of Scherrer. The reasons are not clear.

Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2004

Stephane Rolland showed the Spring Couture collection for Scherrer in January 2004 in Paris. It included many beautifal dresses with golden embroidery and motifs. One dress from the collection is shown here on the right.

Fall/Winter 2004 ready-to-wear

The Scherrer Fall collection was shown in Paris during Fashion Week of March 2004. However, they did not give a catwalk show, but a static exhibition with mannequins. Three of the outfits are shown in the picture on the left. Many people visited their showroom to view the creations, but it did not have the excitement of previous seasons.

Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2004

Stephane Rolland presented the Haute Couture collection for Fall 2004 in Paris in July 2004 and a gown from the show is pictured on the right.

The collection contained many beaturiful gowns and in the audience was French first lady Bernadette Chirac. Also prominent was French actor Gerard Depardieu, who follows fashion avidly.

Ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 2005

During Paris Fashion Week in October 2004, Stephane Rolland showed his Scherrer collection for next Spring.

A cotton Safari stype cotton dress from this collection is shown on the left. His clothes consisted of Flare leg suits and tweed suits, along with sleeveless tuxedo-stype jackets worn over silk blouses with bows, or camisole topes. His evening dresses were satin and chiffon with twirling pleats and black point lace.

Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2005

During January 2005, the Haute Couture shows for Spring/Summer 2005 took place in Paris. Stephane Rolland presented a beautiful collection replete with structure and cool femininity. Elegant wide-legged satin suits and ensembles, coatdresses and satin crepe blouses were mixed with caftans and high-waisted paints embroidered on ivory damask. One thought of Marlene Dietrich in the 30's. One daring back-less dress was embroidered black on coral crepe. It was an exceptional collection.

Ready to Wear
Autumn/Winter 2005
Paris March 2005

Stephane Roland presented his Autumn/Winter 2005 collection for Jean-Louis Scherrer in Paris in March 2005, and it was a very successful show. Some of his creations included elephant pants with giant cuffs. A plaid coat was worn on top with puffy fur balls. Shoes in metallic fabric with high-heels were worn with all the clothes. The bow embellishmenty theme was repeated on coats, jackets and dresses. His pleated pink skirt had a black lace overlay and he also did a long pink leopard printed gown. There was lots of fur and velvet.

Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2005

The Haute Couture collections for Autumn/Winter 2005 were held in Paris in July 2005. Stephane Rolland presented the show for the house, and his beautiful brocade wedding dress for the finale is shown on the right. Strangely the bride carried a baby in her arms.

His whole collection was one of beauty, seventies butterfly wing sleeves and flare pants with poka dots and florals, mixed with "Eugenie" dresses in violet printed silk velvet. Fox Capes, Tuxedo jackets and embroidered black velvet joined gold lame and red damask. Victorian volume also played a role with ruffled collars and puffed sleeves.

Jean-Louis Scherrer leaves Haute Couture

The Paris house of Jean-Louis Scherrer has announced that they would not be presenting a Haute Couture collection next season. They will instead concentrate on the Ready-to-Wear collected designed by Stephane Rolland. That collection will be for Fall/Winter 2006 to be shown in Paris in March 2006.

Jean-Louis Scherrer house is owned by French businessman Alain Dumenil. It was earlier one of the few Haute Couture houses which were making a profit. This was probably due to the efforts of Managing Director Charles Edouard Barthes. However he left to start up his own cosmetic concern, and since then the house of Scherrer has gone downhill financially.