De Lorme Weddings
Concieved in 1894, Mariages De Lorme or De Lorme Weddings was founded by sisters Mathilde De Lorme and Ludivine De Lorme.
Company History
- See also: Timeline of De Lorme Weddings
Beginnings/First Generation
- Ludivine L'Artaire (nee De Lorme) & Mathilde Devereux-De Lorme (nee De Lorme)
De Lorme Weddings is a company that was set up by Ludivine De Lorme (see L'Artaire) and her younger sister, Mathilde in 1894, shortly before her 21st birthday.
Second Generation
- Juliette L'Artaire/Odette L'Artaire & Pascale Devereux-De Lorme
The company was initially intended to be passed down through the eldest daughter of each respective co-owner (or next most suitable candidate). Upon Ludivine's death in 1925 after the First World War it was entrusted to her eldest daughter, Juliette. Unbeknownst to Ludivine at the time of her death, Juliette was working as a prostitute and no less than two years later would give birth to Marc, following an unknown sexual encounter gone awry. Upon discovering her sordid lifestyle, Jacques, the eldest son instructed his younger brother, and Juliette's twin, Gregoire to take care of the business until a more suitable female heir could take care of the business.
Odette, the next living female family member at age 17, was the initial caretaker, with Jacques managing finances and other things beyond her capability. Mathilde was still alive at this point, and taught Odette various aspects of the business to her with the intent of handing the company to her and her eldest living daughter (Pascale Devereux-De Lorme) when she passed on. Odette's plans did not fit this mould, however.
At age 25, in 1933, she met Jasper Matthieu and fell deeply in love. After seven years of being trained to take over the family business, the fast and furious, rich and famous lifestyle Jasper led much more appealed to her senses. Mathilde, thoroughly annoyed by this, had already begun training her daughter Pascale in dress-making, and instead of focusing her efforts on Odette, began to focus on Pascale, almost entirely leaving out Ludivine's descendants.
Third Generation
- Delphine Guillot & Genevieve Devereux-De Lorme
This angered Jacques. Before her death in 1944, Mathilde came to an agreement with Jacques that he would allow one of his daughters to be trained in the family business. Delphine, at age 5, was named to be trained by her father's cousin, Pascale, once she came of age. Delphine loved this line of work from the moment she set her hands on it, but quickly realized that she would not be able to have a child to pass her knowledge on to. Pascale, however, died in 1989, and her daughter, Genevieve Devereux-De Lorme, became the other half of De Lorme Weddings.
Current/Fourth Generation
- Charlotte Halifax & Mathilde Devereux-De Lorme
When Charlotte Halifax, Delphine's younger sister's eldest daughter was born in 1970, Delphine decided she would train her in dress-making with the intent to hand her half to her once she had become too old to keep working. Genevieve, too, passed on her knowledge. Her eldest daughter, Mathilde Devereux-De Lorme at only four years younger than Charlotte, became the other half of De Lorme Weddings.
Plans for Fifth Generation
- Thérèse Halifax & ?
Charlotte Halifax had her first daughter, Thérèse, at age 18. Charlotte is aware of who the father is, but has not made it publicly known to anyone but her immediate family members. Fortunately, the business was permitted to stay in her hands. While Thérèse is the obvious candidate for the next generation, her unknown heritage and unwillingness to run the business has caused some minor obstacles. Currently, at 34, Mathilde does not have any children and has no current plans to. Possible candidates for Mathilde's descendants rest in Benoit DuBlois, Mathilde Devereux-De Lorme's older brother. The Halifax line is as yet undecided. There is speculation, however, that it will be returned to the original line of inheritance, or that of Juliette L'Artaire. Her eldest great-grandaughter, Margot Deneuve, has expressed interest via her grandfather Marc, in taking on the apprenticeship in dress-making that would have gone to Thérèse. Though the two are the same age, Charlotte does not want to force her daughter into a line of work she is not comfortable in. This is another possibility for the next generation of De Lorme co-ownership.
Cliéntèle
Many celebrities travel to France especially to purchase, try on, and view Ludivine's original designs, though these are altered to suit specifications and new ones are being produced by Charlotte and her team every season.
Dresses
Every dress is made specifically for the client, altered and tailored to fit the specifications they choose. However, they are based off of general sketches and early original designs made by Mathilde and Ludivine when they first opened the business. Furthermore, however, Charlotte Halifax and Pascale Devereux-De Lorme maintain these designs while also creating their own. All material is sourced from one place and bought as needed. There are a few employees, though mostly hired to help put together the designs and liaise with clients.
Business
Though boutique, the business has become quite successful in the 100 years since it's conception. There was a celebration with the remaining descendants of Ludivine L'Artaire in 1994 to celebrate the 100 year anniversary, and they sold more than 200 dresses to both celebrities, noble women and many working class people alike during that year, a record for it's history.
Employees
Currently managed by Ludivine's great-grandaughter Charlotte Halifax and Mathilde's great-grandaughter, Mathilde Devereux-De Lorme. Though also has been maintained and managed by various descendants of Mathilde's family - most notably Pascale Devereux-De Lorme, whose granddaughter is French socialite Mathilde Devereux-De Lorme, and who also manages De Lorme Weddings with Charlotte.
Location
Currently, it is housed in Paris, though out of the main tourist areas. Viewing is mostly by appointment only, though every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday there are sales assistants assigned to the shop front for three to four hours in the afternoon.
