THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9409010039
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MONIQUE WILLIAMS, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
IT ISN'T OFTEN that a designer has to follow in the footsteps of a father who is a giant in the arts. But Paloma Picasso, daughter of Pablo Picasso, did. Not only did she survive the scrutiny that comes with the name, she excelled in her chosen field as an accessory designer.
Born in Paris to Francoise Gilot and Pablo Picasso, Paloma was named after the symbol her father designed for the 1949 World Peace Congress - the dove.
She grew up in a world where art and beauty co-exist, and she brings to her accessories collections a strength in design that has become her hallmark.
She came to the attention of the fashion world in 1980 when she joined Tiffany & Co. creating a jewelry collection that was bold in design and included unexpected combinations of gold and silver jewelry and semi-precious stones.
She followed that success with a perfume that has become a favorite among many women and a red lipstick (``Mon Rogue'') that she could model better than anyone else. Her striking Mediterranean looks continue to grace the pages of many women's magazines.
In 1987, she expanded her image by designing and manufacturing handbags, belts, scarves, gloves and umbrellas under the Lopez-Cambil Ltd label - a joined venture with her Argentine-born playwright husband whom she has collaborated with since 1972.
Together, they created a casual yet elegant bridge collection that reaches a larger audience. What distinguishes her collection is her careful attention to detail, the craftsmanship and richness of the leather and her use of hardware - heavy golden ropes of chains and creative handles. She continues to design a couture collection for her well-to-do-clientele.
With fashion abandoning the waifish, grungy look and returning to a more polished one, Picasso's modern, geometric shapes bear a contemporary feel.
``To me, it was obvious that the waif would fade,'' she says, ``giving way to the return of a very personal and sophisticated time.''
This fall, Picasso re-introduces the stylized ``X'' that became associated with her name. The kiss, originally bathed in 18-karat gold, is now offered in silver, and it adorns many of her bags and belts.
``I love the simple and easy shapes with the silver hardware,'' she says. ``It looks young and hip!''
Her collection complements fall's newest colors - brilliant cranberries, earthy browns and her color signature, Paloma Red.
``I believe this is truly an exciting collection because we have cultivated our look,'' Picasso explains. ``We have added so much newness.''
Picasso's creative hand isn't limited to accessories. There are the Picasso boutiques in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong, the collection of bone china, crystal and silver and tiles for Villeroy & Boch, bed ensembles, towels and bathrobes for KBC and another perfume for men launched in 1992 (``Minotaure'').
Like her father who created hundreds of paintings and sculptures and left an impressive legacy, being prolific is, apparently, a family trait. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The fine craftmanship and attention to detail distinguish Paloma
Picasso's collection.
by CNB