Women and Fashion

Élegance, glamour and femininity all come together at the Hotel les Dames du Panthéon.

Each floor of this charming, chic and arty 4-star hotel pays homage to a famous women from a certain period. Guests get a glimpse into the world of the cocottes, Édith Piaf, George Sand, Juliette Gréco, the Signares and Marguerite Duras.

To honour these charismatic women even further; the hotel – aided by stylist Valérie Grévin – has created a collection of sleepwear.

The designer was inspired by the very different, emblematic dress sense o these women, creating a collection that reflects their characters.

Innovative and exclusive, Hotel les Dames du Panthéon bring back fashion of times gone by, while also offering its guests a unique experience.

The world of the cocottes

The cocottes appeared during the Second Empire. They lived off their chamrs, profiting from men’s fortunes and often making newspaper headlines because of their flagrant sexuality, taste for luxury and high-ranking lovers.

Influenced by some of the most select boudoirs of the era, such as Maxim’s, the hotel uses these enticing venues as inspiration for a sensual garment in vivid red and deep black, just like the courtesans.

Piaf and the little black dress

Édith Piaf’s little black dress was emblematic of the singer as she became famous in the 1930s.

Legend says it first saw the day in 1935, knitted by Édith and her friend Simone Berteaut for Édith’s first appearance at the Le Gerny’s cabaret.

Worn throughout her career, the little black dress and its swooping décolleté are shown here on the second floor of the hotel, paying homage to Édith’s sparkle.

George Sand, the lady in a suit

19th century playwright and famous writer George Sand was proud of her passion, defended women’s rights, shunned marriage and fought against the prejudice of a conservative society.

During her entire childhood, George Sand (whose actual first name was Amantine) dressed as a boy. She kept this style later on, often wearing trousers and wool ties.

Unknowingly, in 1829, Amantine (now George) launched the fashion for women to dress ‘manly’, thanks to her pseudonym and choice of clothing.

For he third floor, the hotel has imagined baggy clothing in white and peacock blue, accompanied by a tie as a nod to the famous writer.

Juliette Gréco, chic in black

French singer and actress of the 1940s Juliette Greco was not always part of Parisian high society. When she was very young during the First World War, Juliette was sent to the prison at Fresnes, where she spent the next two years of her life.

Once out of prison, the former dancer at the Opéra Garnier found refuge with a foster family where the boys of the family wore black trousers.

This loose-fitting piece of clothing in dark colours became indispensable, allowing her to pass unnoticed in places that would otherwise not have accepted her.

On the fourth floor of the hotel, dedicated to Juliette Gréco, the sleepwear is influenced by the actress’ style of clothes, with ample trousers and a black top, a reference to her first purchase.

The Signares, femmes fatales

The Signares, half-cast African women born from the love between slaves and European colonists, managed to acquire an important economic and social position on the west coast near Senegal.

At the time of the French Revolution, the Signares were the impetus behind a lifestyle combining elements of European and Wolof society, also well defined their style of dress.

The Signares called ‘Dames’ wore taffeta skirts and French-style shirts made of fine embroidered material in various colours, with the left shoulder left apparent.

The vivid colours and graphic prints of the fiftth floor of the hotel reference the traditional and sensual garb of the Signares. The Hotel Les Dames du Panthéon was heavily influenced by the traditional clothing of these femmes fatales when creating the sleepwear.

Marguerite Duras – passion

Born in Vietnam, Duras never forget her childhood in the Far East, especially her love story with the son of a rich Chinese land owner.

The youful passion and her love of Asia are apparent in many of the writer’s numeous books.

This final floor of the hotel is like a voyage into deepest Asia, the inspiration for creating sleepwear reminiscent of a Geisha.

The collection is on sale at the reception of the Hotel Les Dames du Panthéon, starting at 80 euros. The pieces can also be ordered when making your room reservation.

The Hotel les Dames du Panthéon

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