The High-Life Tailor Collection

Full list, description, and price: High Life Tailor Advertising Collection

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[HIGH-LIFE TAILOR]. Illustrated catalogues and brochures of the High-Life Tailor.
Paris, Bessonnat & Cie, Albert Jarach et Paul Chambry, Draeger, 1894-1937.
54 brochures, catalogues, and ephemera (ranging from 10 cm to 28 cm) in the publisher’s original paper wrappers, most often stapled, with covers illustrated in color, and one catalog bound in soft green gilt stamped morocco. All the items in the collection are very good to near fine condition, with the exception of a few items with surface rubbing, two catalogs with spine splits, a few with scattered foxing, some wrinkling and occasional turned corners, but overall the items are exceptionally well preserved.

Advertising an identity of timeless elegance: 1894-1937. A vibrant and colorful collection of fashion catalogs and ephemeral items documenting the more than 40-year history of an active and successful Parisian custom tailoring firm, the High-Life Tailor (HLT), who specialized in men’s and women’s clothing for different seasons, including ready-to-wear and made-to-measure options, displayed in elegantly illustrated catalogs and brochures—15 of those included here include fabric samples. HLT’s primary offerings were suits and overcoats for men, ranging from casual to formal, and dresses, gowns, suits, overcoats, and wraps for women, distinctly fashionable and urban chic in style. Their more than 40-year run as a firm, and the consistent issuing of artistically designed and well-produced promotional materials—printed on glossy paper and accompanied by novel and original content—speaks to HLT’s profitable stability as a firm.

The firm, their premises shown above, described themselves in their advertisements as follows: HIGH LIFE TAILOR is driven by a singular principle: comfort, comfort, and yet more comfort, without ever sacrificing elegance or good taste. Hence, undoubtedly, the universality of its renown. Their two shops—at 12 Rue Auber and 112 Rue Richelieu—are overflowing with orders; much like art museums, they are open to every passerby, welcoming all visitors to come and gather impressions of the latest fashions. HIGH LIFE TAILOR will send its deluxe catalog—featuring suits available without a fitting, along with instructions on how to take your own strictly accurate measurements—upon request…

HLT maintained no branches outside of the French capital, instead concentrating their physical footprint in two centrally located museum-like Parisian shops. They relied on their robust advertising presence, achieved through their deluxe catalogs, and a self-measuring system that allowed customers to order clothing remotely. Suits and dresses could be made-to-measure for remote customers who desired the latest Paris couture.