Charles Jourdan was born in France in 1883. He trained as a shoemaker, and in 1919 began designing shoes independently.
During the 1930s, he became the first shoe designer to advertise in fashion magazines. In 1947, Jourdan's three sons, Rene, Charles, and Roland, joined the company.
In 1959, Jourdan cemented his status as a haute couture designer of shoes when he contracted with the house of Christian Dior to design shoes under their label.
During the 1970s, Jourdan expanded into accessories and womenswear. Charles Jourdan died in 1976, and the design house continued to be run by his family until his son Roland retired in 1981. The company began its first menswear line in the 1980s.
The house of Jourdan has continued to the present, being led in its designs by such noted names as Andre Perugia, Roger Vivier, and Patrick Cox, and presently has Josephus Thimister as its head designer.
Charles Jourdan was a favorite designer of fashion icons such as Brigitte Bardot and Princess Diana.
Jourdan shoes are known for their fine craftsmanship and fit, but have an avant-garde image, in large part due to their advertising. During the 1970s, their ads, shot by noted surrealist photographer Guy Bourdin, became famous.
Jourdan's shoe collections have focused on presenting a few classic styles in a wide variety of colors, so as to accessorize with any outfit.