Title: Juli Lynne Charlot, Creator of the Iconic Poodle Skirt, Dies at 101
Juli Lynne Charlot, a Hollywood singer turned viscountess, passed away at the age of 101 in Mexico, leaving behind a legacy that includes the invention of the iconic poodle skirt.
Born in Manhattan to Jewish immigrants, Charlot found herself in Southern California as a child, where she began her singing career and eventually stumbled upon the creation of the poodle skirt. With no sewing skills but a pair of scissors and a need for a party outfit, Charlot crafted a circle skirt out of felt, adorned with appliquéd figures, which became a sensation in the 1950s.
The poodle skirt, named for its popular poodle appliqués, became a symbol of the carefree youth culture of the era, selling for about $35 each and adorning women and girls across the Western world. Charlot’s business acumen eventually led to the success of her skirt factory, with exclusive department stores carrying her designs.
Despite her success in the fashion world, Charlot’s personal life was marked by multiple marriages, including one to a viscount, which ended in divorce. She leaves behind no immediate family but a lasting impact on the world of vintage fashion.
In her later years, Charlot focused on creating contemporary Mexican wedding dresses and lived in Tepoztlán, Mexico. Her legacy lives on through the continued popularity of the poodle skirt and its association with the carefree spirit of the 1950s.
