Among Russian emigrants, there were many talented individuals, including scientists, dancers, screenwriters, singers, athletes, and designers. One such designer was Roman Petrovich Tyrtov, who became the creator of the unisex fashion style. Born in 1892 into a well-off noble family, his father, the head of a prestigious Naval Engineering School, wanted his son to become a naval officer. However, from an early age, Roman was passionate about drawing. By the age of five, he had made sketches of outfits for his mother, based on which a seamstress made a dress.

In 1912, not wanting to follow his father's wishes, Roman secretly emigrated to Paris. There, he met Paul Poiret, showed him his works, and got a job at his fashion house. In the 1920s, Tyrtov became one of the leading artists of the Art Deco style, which combined modernism and neoclassicism and was very popular. He created dresses for celebrities such as Anna Pavlova, Mata Hari, and singer Irene Bordoni. Among his innovations were dresses with asymmetric necklines, the use of silk, brocade, and velvet for men's suits, as well as the creation of the unisex style, which gained widespread popularity decades later.

To "not disgrace the family," he took the pseudonym Erté, composed of the first letters of his first and last names. The young designer's works attracted attention in the USA as well. In 1925, he was invited to Hollywood by MGM to design costumes for films. After that, he received numerous commissions, designing furniture, lighting, curtain designs, and creating advertising brochures for commercial firms. For 20 years, Roman Petrovich collaborated with Harper’s Bazaar, for which he created nearly 2,500 illustrations. Many of his works were acquired by the American Metropolitan Museum, which was a rare honor.