The story
Founded by Joséphine Callot Crimont, Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand and Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell in 1895, in Paris.1
Origins
Callot Soeurs opened in 1895 at 24, rue Taitbout in Paris, France. It was operated by the four Callot sisters: Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand, Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell and Joséphine Callot Crimon.
The eldest sister, Marie, was trained in dressmaking, having earlier worked for Raudnitz and Co., prominent Parisian dressmakers, and they were all taught by their mother, a lacemaker. The sisters began working with antique laces and ribbons to enhance blouses and lingerie. Their success led to an expansion into other clothing.
In 1897, Joséphine was rumored to have committed suicide. There is no substantiated proof and family members believe her death was accidental.
Later history
Marie Callot Gerber died in 1927. Her obituary in Le Figaro commented: "One of the most beautiful figures of the Parisian luxury business has now disappeared."
In 1928, Pierre Gerber, Marie Callot Gerber's son, took over the business but could not survive in the highly competitive market and, in 1937, the House of Callot Soeurs closed and was absorbed into the House of Calvet (Marie-Louise Calvet); under the Callot label. However, World War II made matters difficult in France. Similarly to what happened with the House of Vionnet in 1939, Calvet and the Callot label finally closed in 1952.
From Wikipedia’s article on Callot Soeurs, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3