French fashion designer Philippe Venet, who was Hubert de Givenchy’s lifetime partner, launched his own couture fashion house in 1962. After his death in 2021, he was described as “one of the finest tailors in the history of French couture.”

Philippe Venet was especially lauded for his coats from the 1960s to the 1980s. The coats in the last black and white photo from Women’s Wear Daily are from Venet’s Fall 1982 Couture Collection. Note that the first coat has the same oversized and tapered raglan sleeves as this blue coat, the second coat has the same vertical besom pockets and low funnel neck, and all of the coats have the same folded seams. This royal blue coat is no doubt from the same era, perhaps a little later in the ‘80s. It is double-faced with hand-sewn, folded seams on the interior. The reference to Avenue Montaigne under the designer label is probably where Venet’s Paris boutique was located at the time. There are no fabric or size labels in the coat. The fabric looks and feels like wool. Based on the waist and hip measurements, we are estimating the size to be a modern size 6/8, allowing for the extra room that a coat needs to have. Please refer to the measurements for the best guidance regarding individual fit.*

This item is sold from a vintage boutique in Dallas, TX.