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A French-Tinged Clements Ribeiro
Written by: Godfrey Deeny
Photos by: Javier Mateo
London, Feb 20, 2001/ FWD/ -- Those Eurostar rail trips to Paris have done
Clements Ribeiro a world of good.
The design duo has racked up the mileage through the Channel Tunnel to the Hotel Costes in
Paris, where they have successfully revamped the venerable house of Cacharel.
A subtle French influence was evident from the first passage of their show in the West Lawn tent
of the British Museum, the nerve center of the London fashion season. While Cacharel is for the
blossoming gamine, Clements Ribeiro is for her sexy, self-assured big sister who favors punky
hair and studded leather bracelets.
In a tightly-focused presentation, Inacio Ribeiro and Suzanne Clements opened with a series of
faux leopard skin looks - bomber jackets, leggings and even frockcoats - snappily put together
with culottes and the occasional Left Bank beret.
The tailoring was suitably crisp throughout with chic crossover jackets, body-hugging ski
jackets featuring high stretch collars and several appealing short double-breasted jackets
with high courtier's collars.
As David Bowie classics pounded out, the pair injected a little humor into the proceedings
with funky multi-colored polka dot dresses, and there were a few pieces with military badges
that featured a smiling cat.
At this rate, France will have to give these designers the Legion d'Honneur.
Clements Ribeiro Fashion
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