Jeanne Paquin (1869 - 1936) was a leading French fashion designer, known for her resolutely modern and innovative designs. She trained as a dressmaker at Rouff and later opened her own fashion house in 1891. The Maison Paquin quickly became known for its 18th century inspired pastel evening dresses and tailored day dresses, as well as for its numerous publicity stunts, including organizing fashion parades to promote her new models and sending her models to operas and races in order to show off her designs. An evening gown or gown is a long flowing women's dress usually worn to a formal affair.