Guy Laroche Paris- Stylert.com
Guy Laroche, the legendary designer known for his skilful tailoring and vibrant colours such as pink, orange, coral, topaz and turquoise. Guy Laroche restrained elegance and his Parisian chic, has created feminine clothing for women for decades.
Guy Laroche was born in La Rochelle, near Bordeaux, France in 1923. He went to Paris at an early age and worked with a milliner. After World War II, he spent 2 years in New York as a milliner on 7th Avenue. On his return to Paris, in 1949, he joined JEAN DESSES where he worked for 8 years.
He designed one of the first ready-to-wear collections in 1950 and this marked the beginning of in French haute couture. Laroche was involved in these innovations and in 1955 traveled to the U.S. to study new fabrication methods for ready-to wear. In 1957, he opened his own fashion atelier at 37 avenue Franklin Roosevelt, Paris. His first collection was one of subtle sophistication, reminiscent of Balenciaga‘s restrained elegance.
Laroche was known for being a great cutter and tailor. His reputation as a creative but shrewd businessman grew as his company expanded. Capitalizing on his following amongst actresses and socialites, the company moved swiftly into licensing and perfumes. The major perfume, Fidji, was introduced in 1966 to immediate success and the men’s aftershave Drakkar Noir was introduced in 1982, to complement the previously established men’s ready-to-wear clothing. Laroche died in 1989 and Marcel Marongiu is currently head designer.
