Guy Laroche
Encyclopedia
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:
Laroche died in Paris on 17 February 1989, at age of 67.
In November 2007, franco-Swedish designer Marcel Marongiu took over as Artistic Director of Guy Laroche. Marcel Marongiu just completed his third successful runway show with the AU/WI 2009 Collection.
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.The city is connected to the Île de Ré by a bridge completed on 19 May 1988...
, France – 17 February 1989) and founder of the eponymous company.
Laroche began his career in millinery and, from 1949, Laroche worked for Jean Desses
Jean Desses
Jean Dessès , was a world leading fashion designer in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. His designs reflected the influences of his travels, specializing in creating draped evening gowns in chiffon and mousseline, based on early Greek and Egyptian robes.-Biography:Born Jean Dimitre Verginie in...
and eventually became his assistant. In 1955, he visited the US to investigate new ready-to-wear
Ready-to-wear
Ready-to-wear or prêt-à-porter is the term for factory-made clothing, sold in finished condition, in standardized sizes, as distinct from made to measure or bespoke clothing tailored to a particular person's frame. Off-the-peg is sometimes used for items which are not clothing.Ready-to-wear has...
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
Avenue Montaigne
Avenue Montaigne is a street in the 8th arrondisement of Paris, France-Name origin:Avenue Montaigne was originally called the allée des Veuves because women in mourning gathered there, but the street has changed much since those days of the early 18th century. The current name comes from Michel...
, Paris; opened a boutique
Boutique
A boutique is a small shopping outlet, especially one that specializes in elite and fashionable items such as clothing and jewelry. The word is French for "shop", via Latin from Greek ἀποθήκη , "storehouse"....
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, at age of 67.
In November 2007, franco-Swedish designer Marcel Marongiu took over as Artistic Director of Guy Laroche. Marcel Marongiu just completed his third successful runway show with the AU/WI 2009 Collection.