* No Formal Design Schools: There weren't established design schools or formal training programs.
* Apprenticeship System: Most people learned the craft through apprenticeships, working for established dressmakers, tailors, or milliners.
* No Mass Production: Clothing was primarily custom-made, with tailors and dressmakers working with individual clients.
However, some individuals gained significant fame and influence for their creations:
* Rose Bertin (1747-1813): Known as the "Minister of Fashion," Bertin was a French milliner who became the personal dressmaker to Queen Marie Antoinette. She revolutionized fashion with her extravagant and innovative designs, heavily influencing the "Rococo" style.
* Mme. Rose (1760-1843): Another prominent French milliner, Mme. Rose was known for her elegant and refined designs. She enjoyed patronage from elite circles and was a major contributor to the evolving fashion trends of the late 18th century.
* Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette: While not designers themselves, they played a significant role in shaping fashion. Their court set trends that were emulated by the upper classes across Europe.
While we may not have specific names like we do today, there were undoubtedly talented individuals contributing to the evolution of fashion during the 1700s. These craftspeople, through their skill and creativity, helped shape the trends and aesthetic sensibilities of the era.