Fashion career profile
André Courrèges
André Courrèges was a French designer and engineer-trained couturier born in Pau in 1923. He studied at the École des Ponts et Chaussées before moving to Paris and joining Cristóbal Balenciaga’s couture house in 1950. Palais Galliera records that he trained as a cutter there through 1960; this experience informed the precise construction and architectural lines of his own work. In 1961 he and Coqueline Courrèges opened their couture house. The house introduced a trouser suit in 1962 and the little white dress in 1965, then developed Couture Future in 1967 to extend couture-quality design to a wider audience. Courrèges also worked across hosiery, fragrance, factory design and the built environment. In 1995 he left Coqueline in charge of the house and turned to painting and sculpture. His founding role is distinct from later house leadership.
- Role
- Co-founder and fashion designer
- Nationality
- French
- Age at death
- 92
- Career appointments
- 2
- Fashion houses
- 2
- Education: Engineering studies, École des Ponts et ChausséesThe official Courrèges heritage site identifies his engineering education before his move to Paris. · André and Coqueline Courrèges Patrimony
- Balenciaga training: Cutter in the couture atelier, 1950–1960Palais Galliera records his ten years of training with Balenciaga as a cutter. · Palais Galliera
- House founded: Opened the Courrèges couture house with Coqueline in 1961The official patrimony site documents their joint founding and complementary creative partnership. · André and Coqueline Courrèges Patrimony
- Couture Future: Introduced in 1967 to bring couture-quality design to a wider audienceThe official heritage site describes the concept and its retail purpose. · André and Coqueline Courrèges Patrimony
- Later career: Left Coqueline in charge of the couture house in 1995; later focused on painting and sculptureThe official heritage site distinguishes his departure from the ongoing company stewardship. · André and Coqueline Courrèges Patrimony
- 1950 — Joins Balenciaga’s couture houseTrains as a cutter in the Paris atelier through 1960.
- 1961 — Founds Courrèges with CoquelineThe pair open their couture house in Paris.
- 1967 — Introduces Couture FutureA couture-quality design concept intended for broader production and access.
- 1995 — Leaves Coqueline in charge of the houseSteps away from the couture house and later devotes time to painting and sculpture.
- 1961–1995 — Co-Founder and Creative Director — CourrègesHistorical appointment · FHCM
- 1950–1960 — Cutter, couture atelier — BalenciagaHistorical appointment · Palais Galliera