As a young man, Fred was drawn towards music, acting and sewing. He trained as a fashion designer in Lausanne, Switzerland and in Paris, where he gradually turned to women's fashions. Rose studied to be a teacher in home economics and later changed to fashion design. Fred and Rose married in 1943; they opened their own couture establishment in Granges, Switzerland in 1950.
The Affolters' customers were fashionable wealthy women who like exclusive evening designs made of expensive imported material. Fred became well known for his original designs using lace and St. Ball embroideries. Many of his designs were double face, made of silk and wool and entirely reversible. Fred also designed elegant flexible garments, were sleeves could be removed or coats shortened. Partner suits, with matching dress and suit for the lady and gentleman, were also very popular.
Fred and Rose held fashion shows throughout Switzerland to showcase their exclusive designs. Fred became known as the 'Singing Dior', for he would often present his models with a rose and sing a suitable song as a finale. The highlight of their career was a fashion show held in Cairo during Expo '76, where they were able to work with luxurious expensive materials and original designs to showcase embroideries from Switzerland. Many of the garments and photographs in this exhibit are from this show.
Fred and Rose retired in 1980 and moved to Trinity Valley near Enderby to be with their children. Fred has been making unique, original quilts and wall hangings for the last 20 years, using samples and scraps of the luxurious materials, lace and embroidery collected during his years as a couturier.
Thank you, Fred and Rose,
for sharing your life's work
with our community.
Enderby and District Museum and the Enderby and District Arts Council
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