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Ji Haye: West Meets East
By: Timothy Hagy
Photos by Javier Mateo
Paris, Jul 11, 2002/ FW/ --- Ji Haye's fascinating couture collection was held in the
Imperial Room of the Hotel Intercontinental first thing in the morning.
The parties during couture week have trailed late into the night, and so it was not
surprising that most guests arrived in leisurely fashion for the day's first show.
Those hearty fashion people, who had perhaps been feeling the effect of an oversupply of
champagne, were treated to an innovative and intriguing collection.
For this season, Ji Haye, a woman of Korean origin, chose China under the influence of the
West, and especially under the influence of the belle époque, for her inspiration.
There was indeed a lightness of spirit and texture in her work, and one could even say an
Oriental exoticism, which appeared in the form of kimono-inspired creations for both men and
women.
There was one male model, looking quite happy among his female counterparts, who showed off
two pieces of this couture collection aimed at Ji Haye's masculine clientele.
The materials varied from tweed, wool and cashmere, to silk, mink and ostrich leather.
Even plastic was incorporated into a gown, and into the straps of a wedding dress.
The colors began in a Mao Tse-Tung gray and then progressed to fuchsia, red and gold.
There were some enchanting creations, especially on the men's side, but for all of the
inventiveness, one was left questioning the market for a hoop skirt replete with plastic bodice.
Ji Haye
Ji Haye
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