Cacharel: A Touch of California
By Mari Davis
Photos by Javier Mateo

PARIS, Mar 6, 2004/ FW/ --- The invitation to the Cacharel show featuring print swatches was a hint of what was to come – exuberant mix of colors and textures inspired by the Doll Hut in Orange County, California.

Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro, who visited the southern California landmark, were enamored by the “eclectic girl band crowd” of Orange County to the point that they incorporated it in the Cacharel Fall 2004 collection.

With the runway that echoed the prints on the invitation, the husband and wife design duo sent models on a clipped pace, with the models barely stopping for the photographers at the end of the runway.

Capri length pants, sometimes with a lace edge, full skirts paired with bobby socks and kitten-heeled ankle boots, windbreakers embellished with beads for texture, printed jumper dresses matched long sleeved knit sweaters were the main fare of this fun and youthful collection.

Leggings were also used as leg warmers, while chunky knits in mohair and angora softened the looks.

Clusters of multi-colored wooden beads and hand painted silk petals bring toy-like accents.

Clements Ribeiro has captured some of the essence of southern California and transformed them into a Parisian look.

Using red and black for drama and petrol blue as a color highlight, the whole collection will fly off the shelves come fall because they are what girls would want to wear come fall.

Since their appointment as Head Designers for the label since 2000, Clements Ribeiro’s off beat hand on piling up prints, texture and colors has become part of Cacharel’s signature look and still kept the spirit of the House.

At the end of the show, the enthusiastic crowd gave the design duo a resounding applause, a sure sign that the House of Cacharel has another winning collection on their hands.

Cacharel

Cacharel

Cacharel

Cacharel