Jean-Louis Scherrer was born in Paris, France in 1936. He was interested in dancing, but was unable to continue his career after a fall so he began to sketch. He studied fashion design at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture in Paris.

In 1955, his talent took him to the house of DIOR, where he worked with Yves St.LAURENT. When St. Laurent took over the house of Dior after the master died, Scherror joined the house of Louis Feraud till 1961. He set up his own house in 1962. His first collection was shown in the vaulted cellar of a wine dealer.

He produced couture and ready-to-wear clothes. His garments were classic, restrained and sometimes sombre and he was known for his sophisticated evening wear.

In the 60's, he brought out some designs of jackets with the Nehru collar, which was all the rage at the time.

In the 70's, he acquired many wives of affluent Arabs as his clientele, as his longer, covered-up designs satisfied the modesty required by such ladies, while also proclaiming their wealth. He also dressed ladies such as Baroness von Thyssen and Francoise Sagan.

In 1971, he set up his ready-to-wear line. For twenty years, the house of Scherrer made beautiful dresses for the ladies of Paris and the world.

In 1992, the Japanese house of Seibu purchased the house so Jean-Louis Scherrer left the house that he had founded. Erik Mortensen and then Bernard Perry designed for the house briefly.

France Luxury Group which also controls the house of Jacques Fath and Emanuelle Khahn, bought out the house of Jean-Louis Scherrer in 2001.

In 1997 Stephane Rolland (born 1966) joined Scherrer to design the Haute Couture line and he still continues to do so today.