Forgotten Designer Michel Goma

Designer Michel Goma at work in his atelier, 1959.

 You don't often hear about designer Michel Goma who owned his own couture house in Paris from 1958-1963.  Goma was born in Montpelier, France in 1932.  After studying dressmaking, he moved to Paris in 1951 where he worked for the House of Jeanne LaFaurie.  He purchased the business in 1958 and renamed it Michel Goma.  He closed the house in 1963 and went to work for Jean Patou.  Goma was a brilliant designer who created some marvelous daytime dresses, suits and coats.  But today, I want to show you some of the evening wear he designed during the all-too-brief six year lifespan of his business.  Which is your favorite?

1958

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

After closing his business in 1963, Michel Goma went on to be the head designer at Jean Patou for 10 years.  He then worked freelance until being hired as the ready-to-wear designer for the House of Balenciaga from 1987-1992.  Goma is now retired.