Breaking the Rules of Fashion

As we all know (or, I hope we all know) the way fashion week works. First is New York, then Milan, then London, and to finish off the season is Paris. Milan is coming to a closing and London has officially begun. But what has become more and more common is that the designers like to break a few rules. For instance, Paris Fashion week does not officially begin until next week. Well guess what...tents are up, and shows have begun. Where was I this beautiful afternoon...? In the Jardin des Tuileries where I sat in the second row going goggly eyed over the Guy Laroche été 2012 collection where I met and spoke with Marcel Marongiu, and was photographed and interviewed by Paris' top fashion journalists asking why Guy Laroche, my opinion of fashion trends and the collection, and of course, who I was wearing (a combination of Versace, Michael Kors, and Armani. I know, shame on me for mixing Italian and American, but I couldn't help it. As Chloë from Now Fashion said, My outfit was FEIRCE with the combination of American and Italian classics with a touch of hand crafted Italian elegance to make a statement). For those that do not know anything about Guy Laroche, listen, or in this case, read closely. Guy Laroche was a French fashion designer (16 July 1921 in La Rochelle, France – 17 February 1989) and founder of the eponymous company. Laroche began his career in millinery and, from 1949, Laroche worked for Jean Desses and eventually became his assistant. In 1955, he visited the US to investigate new ready-to-wear manufacturing methods. 1956 or 1957, he founded a high-fashion atelier at 37 avenue Franklin Roosevelt, Paris. In his first collection that was favorably received, he reintroduced vibrant colors such as pink, orange, coral, topaz and turquoise. His clothes also featured plunging neck and back lines. Known as being humble and gracious—as opposed to the haughty nature of most Parisian designers—he designed haute-couture but practical clothing for women. And, for the American market, he was one of the first to create separates. In 1961, he moved to larger quarters, a townhouse at 29 avenue Montaigne, Paris; opened a boutique there; and introduced his first ready-to-wear collection. In 1966, Laroche introduced Fidji, his first women’s fragrance; designed men's ready-to-wear; and opened the Guy Laroche Monsieur boutique. He created other fragrances as: 1972 Drakkar 1977 J'ai Ôse 1982 Drakkar Noir 1986 Clandestine 1993 Horizon 1999 Drakkar Dynamik. Laroche died in Paris on 17 February 1989. In November 2007, franco-Swedish designer Marcel Marongiu took over as Artistic Director of Guy Laroche.