When it comes to postwar fashion, Jacques Fath was the premiere designer following World War II. Born in France in the early 20th century, Fath grew up in a time of turmoil and unrest. Captured by the Nazi army, Fath eventually returned to Paris and was able to draw on the support of fellow Parisians opposed to the Nazi regime to build a following. In 1937, Fath launched his own collection out of a petite salon in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. Two years later, the designer wed Geneviève Boucher, a model and former secretary to Coco Chanel. As Fath and his wife expanded the brand to suit American audiences, he was also becoming a household name amongst the bourgeoisie in Paris. The couturier pioneered a number of fashions, including lace-top hosiery and glove-fitting ensembles, in addition to launching a fragrance line in 1946. Fath's innovative designs and cross-continental reach would establish his brand as one of the most prominent post-WWII design houses, in company with Dior and Balmain. Following Fath's untimely death in 1954, his fashion house halted production of its clothes, and his brand now exists as Jacques Fath Parfums. Continue on for a look at the women that inspired Fath's established designs.