The History of D. Porthault: Iconic Home Couture

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed my D. Porthault obsession. Pronounced Por-tó, the ‘D’ stands for Daniel Porthault who founded the luxury linen house in Paris in 1920 with his wife Madeleine. Originally opened as a small lingerie boutique, Madeleine – who was part of the Paris café society – quickly established D. Porthault as a pioneer in the unchartered world of home couture.

Inspired by her love of Impressionist art, fashion, and the gardens at Giverny, Madeleine dreamed of colorful, printed sheets with dressmaker details. Until then, plain white and ivory linens were all that was available, and her revolutionary prints became an instant success. Soon after, D. Porthault manufactured the world’s first printed terry towels. Today, D. Porthault’s instantly recognizable collections remain a whimsical mix of design, color, and luxury. 

The house of D. Porthault built a reputation and portfolio based on collaborations with artists, intellectuals, and leaders in the world of theatre, fashion, and society. Porthault developed a loyal following that included royalty and celebrities such as Charles de Gaulle, Sir Winston Churchill, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, Lee Radziwill, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly, Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. Almost 100 years later, D. Porthault has become an iconic luxury amongst the world leaders, celebrities, tastemakers, socialites, and interior designers. Below are some of my favorite examples along with some fun facts provided by Porthault!

FUN FACT: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor would have the same suite aboard the Queen Mary for their ocean voyages from Europe to the States.  Each time before they boarded, the ship’s chief steward would change the standard Cunard Line linens with the Duchess’s own D. Porthault sheets and towels.

When they moved to Paris, the Duke and Duchess also commissioned a floral print for the master bedroom of their home near the Place Concorde.  The Duchess requested a design with yellow Carnations (Oeillets) – yellow because she wanted to wake up and go to sleep touched by the glow and warmth of the sun, and carnations because for her they symbolized happiness and undying love. The Duke and Duchess were so pleased with the result of Porthault’s Les Oeillets jaunes linens that they planted a garden of yellow flowers outside of their bedroom window to complement the design.

Michael S. Smith

Diamond Baratta

Ashley Whittaker

Ashley Whittaker

Cathy Kincaid

Cathy Kincaid

Charlotte Moss

Diane Nutting’s manor house.

Rita Konig

Kirsten Kelli – You can shop Porthault at Kirsten and Kelli’s store Madison 214 when you are in Dallas!

Grays Lane via The Zush.

Lilly Bunn Interiors

Elizabeth Bauer

Kate Rheinstein

Laura and Harry Slatkin via Palm Beach Chic.

Yes, I am truly obsessed! As Madeleine Porthault said, “Linens are not merely linens…They are a pleasure for all of one’s senses.” The D. Porthault team is dedicated to quality and craftsmanship, and at every step they demand exceptional quality. Porthault linens are made to be passed down from one generation to the next, which makes them smart investment. For additional information and to shop online, please visit D. Porthault. You can follow Porthault on Instagram here.

A fabulous book that will offer a glimpse into the world of D. Porthault is scheduled for release next fall… I can hardly wait! Of course, I will be writing a review for The Glam Pad. In the meantime, stay tuned for a follow up feature on Porthault table linens and a Q&A with Joan Carl, owner of Porthault.