(Re)discover Our City – Modes Jeanne-Cécile

Think you know our capital well? Think again! Some buildings you pass by regularly hide a special history. Dr. Robert L. Philippart is a true expert in this field and will guide you through the city to uncover these hidden stories, giving you a new perspective on certain iconic buildings.

The fashion store and millinery "Jeanne-Cécile" originated from an initiative by two young milliners, Jeanne Caviggioli and Cécile Vinandy, who opened a fashion shop in Differdange in 1932. They later established themselves at 17 Avenue Monterey, where their store remained until its closure in 1976. The fashion salon, named after its two founders, was one of the most prestigious in the capital. Any woman who considered herself fashionable wore a hat designed by Jeanne-Cécile. For years, the two milliners were the driving force behind fashion shows held at the Casino Bourgeois, Hotel Alfa, Grand Hotel Cravat, and other carefully chosen venues. The fashion house employed five seamstresses to provide excellent service.

The "Revue" magazine reported in 1949, "Even the hats of Jeanne-Cécile (…) have a Parisian breeze. They are small, delicate, fitting closely to the smooth head and framed by curious curls. Their material is so soft and dreamy that you want to stroke it, with lots of velvet in deep black and warm brown, or tiny feathers that curl like pine cones."

The fashion store presented wedding dresses, gala dresses, evening and day dresses, hats, gloves, and scarves on the ground floor. Bouillonnais curtains and a curved wrought-iron staircase gave the impression of a fairy tale castle. The light gray tones created an elegant atmosphere. The well-lit first floor, with large windows, allowed for private and beautiful dress fittings. The store was a world that fully embraced the contemporary societal view of women as princesses, which was also reflected in its design to elevate the clientele. The collection included bridal hats and veils, coats, suits, sporty and cocktail dresses, evening gowns and wedding dresses, knits, wool ensembles, sporty and dress skirts, blouses and shirts, elastic ski pants, après-ski wear, and a large selection of high-quality hosiery and gloves. All items stood out for their quality and were signed by renowned couturiers from Paris and Milan. Jeanne-Cécile sold exclusive brands such as Christian Dior, Jacques Heim, Carven Junior, Balmain, Vera Borea, Madeline de Rauch, Guy Laroche Griffe, Jean Dessès, and many others. The store guaranteed the exclusivity of gala dresses for the Grand Duchy. The clientele was made up of wives of diplomats stationed in Luxembourg, high-ranking European officials, wives of steel factory directors in Luxembourg, the Grand Duchess's ladies-in-waiting, and the urban bourgeoisie.

In 1963, the store was transformed. Cécile Vinandy retired from business, and in 1970 Jeanne Caviggioli sold her shares to Jeanne Seibert-Schaeffer & Bianco. Following the latest fashion trends, the store shifted toward luxury ready-to-wear with a salon and bespoke haute couture atelier and milliners. The store also included Delvaux leather handbags in its collections. Amidst the steel crisis of the 1970s, the store closed its doors in 1976, and the brand was liquidated in 1977.

Research and Text:

Robert L. Philippart

Photo Credits:

Magasin Jeanne-Cécile © photothèque de la Ville de Luxembourg Photo Tony Krier

Jeanne-Cecile d'Letzeburger Land – 29.03.1957

Emplacement ancien magasin Jeanne-Cecile, avenue Montetery © Rolph