Robert Piguet was known as a businessman but was actually destined to become a legendary fashion icon. He was born in Switzerland. At the age of 17 he left the Swiss city of Yverden for Paris despite his family's opposition. There he worked with a group of fashion designers and then with Paul Poiret (founder of the Rosine perfume house), Paul was a lifelong friend of Robert's and one of the most influential fashion designers in history.