IRFĒ
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1924 in Paris, France |
| Founder | Felix Yussoupov, Irina Romanova |
| Defunct | 1931 (original company closed) |
| Fate | Revitalized after nearly nine decades of dormancy |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Olga Sorokina (current proprietor) |
| Products | Luxury ready-to-wear apparel and accessories |
IRFĒ is a French fashion label founded in 1924 by Felix Yussoupov and Irina Romanova. The brand's name is derived from the initials of its creators.
History
IRFĒ was established in Paris, initially operating on the ground floor and later expanding to the first floor at 10 rue Duphot. The workforce primarily consisted of Yussoupov's acquaintances and Russian émigrés, with Irina Alexandrovna herself participating as a model alongside professional hires.
The brand's inaugural collection was presented at the esteemed Hôtel Ritz located on Place Vendôme, quickly attracting attention within Parisian elite circles. The early popularity of the label was partly fueled by public fascination with Felix Yussoupov, drawing clients interested in his infamous reputation.
Building on this momentum, Yussoupov diversified into related enterprises: in 1925, he partnered with Baron Edmond de Zyuilanom to open a porcelain boutique on rue Richepanse, contributed to the Russian-inspired interior design of the Parisian restaurant Maisonette, and launched the Lido restaurant.
IRFĒ broadened its retail footprint with a store in Le Touquet overseen by Irina's cousin, Prince Gabriel Constantinovich, along with additional locations in London on Berkeley Street and Berlin on Parizerplatts Radziwill. In 1926, the company released a limited-edition perfume collection comprising four fragrances crafted for various hair colors and age groups.
Economic difficulties led to the closure of Maison IRFĒ and its branches in 1931, although the perfume line remained available for a short period afterward.
Present day
Following nearly nine decades of dormancy, IRFĒ was revitalized by its current proprietor, Olga Sorokina. Motivated by the book Beauty in Exile, which chronicles artists escaping the Russian Revolution, Sorokina connected with the founders' granddaughter to bring the label back to life.
Today, Maison IRFĒ's design studio and headquarters are situated in Paris on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The brand specializes in luxury ready-to-wear apparel and accessories, manufactured in ateliers located in France and Italy. Maison IRFĒ made its runway debut at Paris Fashion Week in September 2013, marking the 400th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty.