Keita Maruyama -- African Cabaret
By: Timothy Hagy
(Photos by Javier Mateo)
PARIS, Mar 7, 2003/ FW/ --- Keita Maruyama sent out a cute African-inspired collection for
Autumn / Winter 2003-04.
To a soundtrack set to a tribal beat, an ethnic motif quickly found its way on to handbags,
leopard spotted boots and ornate necklaces.
For all of the creativity of the collection, one wonders about the designer's view of Africa:
one that includes Scottish plaid skirts, which might be an overture to Africa's recent
colonial past.
On the other hand, colorful sweaters were imprinted with the word Africa and silhouettes
of wildlife.
A hooded Zebra sweater with a mane certainly made a direct statement, as did the finale of
stripped knit capes worn with antlers as decoration.
For a less direct taste of the Dark Continent, there were khaki slacks, and sleeveless
fur vests, which fortunately escaped the notice of the PETA demonstrator waiting for
Lagerfeld Gallery.
The show made for a delightful way to start a long and taxing day, and as usual, the
Japanese designer signed his program notes "Love and Peace".
Theory, however, is often vastly different from reality, considering the current political situation.
Let us hope that Keita Maruyama's message prevail.
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