PARIS, Oct 3, 2007 / FW / --- A backdrop featuring a baby seal and bottles of water on the seats, attendees knew, even before opening the press notes that husband & wife design team, Marithé + François Girbaud will be tackling global warming for their Spring 2008 catwalk presentation.

Founded in the late 1960s, Marithé + François Girbaud is one of the first labels that specialized denim, and in many ways, a big part of the youth culture with a "dash of forward-looking politic that would speak to the needs of everyday people."

Almost 50 years had passed since then, yet the Girbauds have not forgotten their philosophy. So, today at the Carrousel du Louvre, they gave an important message – Conserve water and protect the environment.

With the press notes containing a long treatise about a global receding of the glaciers, Marithé + François Girbaud also revealed that the denim in their Spring 2008 collection underwent a newly developed technique that uses less water during the ‘washing’ of the fabric to create that unique Girbaud look.

And, to emphasize that we can dress ‘smart’ during the very hot summers and cold winters, or cold summers and warm winters, wherein we do not know anymore what season we are in due to global warming, Marithé + François Girbaud also proposed ‘smart fabrics’.

The concept of ‘smart fabrics’ was developed originally for the space program, and since then, the formula had been revealed so that the private sector can use it. Creating and inventing their own version of materials that provides warmth when it is cold and coolness when it is warm, the Girbauds also highlighted the social responsibility of fashion and designers.

And yes, they are preaching to the choir! Still, there were some fashion grouse that complained that they do not need a lesson on global warming, especially not on the catwalk. But, come to think of it, when you live in fashion, you only ‘listen and hear’ fashion; hence a reminder on the catwalk that global warming is a concern for everyone cannot hurt.

After all, the catwalk had been used for a political platform so many times and a political statement about the environment, which concerns all of us in many ways, should be welcomed and not be digressed.

Marithé + François Girbaud

Marithé + François Girbaud

Marithé + François Girbaud

Marithé + François Girbaud