Worth died in Paris in 1895 and the business passed into the hands of his sons. It is “almost certain” that some House of Worth outfits went down with the Titanic when it sank in 1912, Prof De La Haye says.
The fashion house continued for three generations until the retirement of his great-grandson, Roger, in 1952.
Beatrice, the mother of British fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, worked as a pattern cutter at the House of Worth in the 1930s.
Dame Zandra says Worth was one of “the initial soldiers” of fashion “preparing the way for us all”.
Ms Worth van HoegaErden says: “I’m so proud that he left a legacy for all dressmakers, but he also left descendants that succeeded him in the business for several generations.”
Descendants of Worth are hoping to meet at an exhibition celebrating his achievements, which will be held at the Petit Palais museum, in Paris, between May and September.
