Guy Laroche

Guy Laroche began his career in Millinery in 1941 and from 1949 worked for Jean Dresses. But it was while visiting the US in 1956 to learn about ready-to-wear that he decided to launch his own label. 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:Drakkar, J'ai Ôse, Drakkar Noir, Clandestine, and Horizon in 1983. Laroche died in Paris on February 17, 1989.