Guy Laroche - The Melting Snows of Kilimanjaro
By: Timothy Hagy
Photos by: Javier Mateo
Paris, Oct 6, 2001/ FW/ --- Were Ernest Hemmingway still living, he would have been right
at home at the Guy Laroche show held this afternoon in the Musée du Cinéma at the Trocadéro.
Somewhere between Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro, in the late afternoon as the sun sets,
some women had set up a bivouac in the middle of the scrub, on the parched ground of the bush.
Like a travelling painter's sketchbook, like an old family photo album, or a collage, the
images came and went: those of farm workers, tennis players, adventurers, emigrants,
explorers, scouts, gold seekers, jet-setters, tourists and princesses.
In fact, the ornate stage was arranged like a tropical rain forest, complete with oppressive
heat and humidity, and dust clouds that rose from sand that had been poured along the
meandering runway exacerbated the situation.
Giant bamboo groves lined the walls, while khaki colored tents shaded by fronds of palm
trees created an obstacle course.
A soundtrack of exotic birdcalls played over speakers.
The collection was both solid and highly wearable. Of special interest were some lovely
knits and outstanding leather.
White suits, with a safari overtone had a relaxed, full cut.
There were light, full-length dresses with a split, as well as much use of pleated chiffon.
Some of the ornate sequined neck collars were even worthy of the Queen of Sheba.
The colors were anchored in ivory, flax, khaki, teal and rust, though the crowning glory
was some magnificent gold brocade.
The collection, designed by Laetitia Heich, was both interesting and sound, and destined
for commercial success.
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