Paul Iribe was born in Angoulême, France, in 1883. He started his career as a newspaper typographer and illustrator at various Parisians magazines and daily papers, such as Le temps. In 1906 Iribe took part in the establishment of the satirical journal Le témoin. The publication of his illustrations in this journal attracted the attention of fashion designer Paul Poiret, who commissioned illustrations to go with his first dress collection in 1908 immediately. A portfolio under the name Les robes de Paul Poiret racontées par Paul Iribe was published after this in a limited edition of 250 copies.
The portfolio was innovative because of a use of bright, fauvist colours, together with simplified lines and incorporation of Japanese prints. The publication was partially the cause of a revival of the fashion plate in a mordenist style, as a reflection of the new, streamlined silhouette in fashion. In 1911 Iribe was hired by Jeanne Parquin to create a similar portfolio, L'Eventail et la fourrure chez Parquin. Later Iribe became even more involved in fashion an started to design theater interiors, other interiors and jewelry. After a period of residence in New York, Iribe moved back to France where he was awarded La Légion d'honneur in 1933. In 1935, Iribe sadly died of a heart attack in Chanel's villa.
