PARIS, Oct 9, 2001/ FW/ --- Marcel Rochas was born in Paris in 1902 and died there in 1955. A hundred years after his birth and over 4 decades after his death, the label which carry his name lives on.

The Rochas woman is classic, refined and established. That was how Marcel Rochas had viewed her, and his successors continued that definition.

Known better for his perfume line, (Madame Rochas), Marcel Rochas became a hit in Paris during the 1920s and early 1930s. His designs were very feminine and meant for the "established " clientele. His creations emphasized the shoulder, in his eyes, they were the epitome of femininity.

Both a designer and an entrepreneur, his thriving business was put on hold with the rise of the Nazi in Europe and the eventual break out of World War II.

As Europe rose from the ashes, Marcel Rochas rose with it too, together with new names in haute couture that included Christian Dior. But instead of focusing on haute couture, he decided to focus on his stores and launching perfumes. Considered a visionary, he was one of the first to see the rise of the ready-to-wear market and haute couture being second to it.

When he died in 1955, the fashion world lost his originality and visionary look at fashion.

His company continued to exist. The House of Rochas is still headquartered in Paris.

Dublin-born designer Peter O'Brien designed the ready-to-wear collection for Rochas for 12 years.

Last Nov 2002, Olivier Theyskens took over the helm of the design group. He debuted for Rochas during the Fall 2003 RTW season in Paris.

Fall 2003 (Photo by Javier Mateo)

Spring 2003 (Photo by FW)

News About Rochas:

Address:
ROCHAS
33, rue François 1er
75008 Paris
France

Press Contact for ROCHAS:
Nicolas FRONTIERE
Tel: +33 1 53 57 22 00
Fax: +33 1 53 57 22 08

Buyers Contact for ROCHAS:
Eliane QUIDEAU
Tel: +33 1 53 57 22 00
Fax: +33 1 53 57 22 29