Vintage Midcentury Jacques Heim Maria Carina Wool Fur Trimmed Shawl Collar Coat.

Expressly made for Nieman Marcus

Beautiful ivory wool coat with fur trim and shawl collar. Fur trim goes down the center of the coat and trims the bottom of the coat. Button closure (hidden by fur trim)

High/low hem

Front patch pockets

Hand finished seams

Overall very good condition. Lining in excellent condition. Exterior shows nothing of significance to note. Normal wear to be expected

Maria Carine was in charge of the production and planning of couture collections at Jacques Heim for three years. She had been making ready-to-wear designs for him since 1952. By 1959, Maria Carine had become the fourth largest ready to wear exporter in France. Although prêt-à-porter, the seams were still finished by hand in the tradition of haute couture. After the couture showings, each couturier would give her sketches based upon the garments they had just shown. Moutet-Chenu made the toiles which were approved by the designers. Then each ready-to-wear garment was cut individually by hand in the Maria Carine workrooms in Paris using the same fabrics that were used for the couture garment. Maria employed hundreds of seamstresses, many of whom worked in their own homes. They sewed each garment individually to exacting standards.

Maison Maria Carine was responsible for the manufacturing of ready to wear collections for couture houses Jacques Heim, Guy Laroche, Jean Dessès and Lanvin-Castillo, predominantly for US export. The other houses represented were Jacques Griffe, Maggy Rouff, Nina Ricci, Madeleine de Rauch, Grès, Carven, and Michel Goma

Before entering the American clothing market, she had imported American dress mannequins so that she can make American sizes and began selling in the American market in 1957.