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MARIE-ROSE CALOU’S CREATIONS – A FASHION
PARADE WITH AN EXOTIC TOUCH
Marie Rose is second from right in
white top, with Nancy Derougere & Mario Justin
in Melbourne.
For the first time in Melbourne, a
fashion parade to showcase colourful séga
outfits, was hosted by Marie-Rose Calou, a
passionate fashion designer. Her creations were
on display during the Creole Festival.
Ever since her husband Christian
has staged Creole
Festivals in Melbourne, Marie-Rose has designed
and sewn séga dresses for dancers accompanying
the various artists from Mauritius, during their
performances in Melbourne.
For every performance, she has created a
new set of outfits to reflect the different
themes of the Creole Festival. So far the themes
have been, “Mama Africa, Bato Mo Capitaine and
Racine Séga 1, 2 and 3.
At the last Creole Festivals, with Nancy
Derougère and Mario Justin, in December 2007
and January 2008,
Marie-Rose presented her
collection to a captive audience. Gasps of
surprise and excitement were heard each time the
mannequins paraded in different colourful
outfits. They were accompanied by appropriate
séga tunes in the background. It was a display
of taste, elegance, flair and style. In one
word,”Panache”
To date, her collection comprises of 65
séga outfits.
This is how Marie-Rose describes some of
the outfits in her collection.
1. A dress to showcase where séga
originates. The fabric has a leopard
skin imitation, with an African spirit.
The pink roses and the pink frills
represent the séga journey from Africa
to Mauritius. It also represents respect
and dignity.
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2. A dress to represent the flora. The
fabric is an invitation to enjoy a
feeling of connection with nature.
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3 .A dress to represent the blue sea of
the Indian Ocean, where Mauritius is
situated. The fabric consists of dodos
and hibiscus, the signatures of
Mauritius. The frills represent the sea
waves.
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4. A dress to represent the sunset on a
Mauritian beach. The beach is dotted
with coconut palms and a feeling of a
light breeze blowing through the coconut
branches, can be felt in the movement.
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5. A dress to represent the brilliance
of the moonlight shining during a séga
performance on a Mauritian beach. The
fabric conveys a feeling of happiness
and enjoyment. |
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6. A dress to represent colourful
flowers under the rays of sunlight. All
the colours represent a happy
celebration full, of fun.
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7. A dress to represent day long
happiness, from sunrise to sunset. The
flowers represent the importance of the
sun, that is life under the sun. |
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8. A dress to represent the origins of
the séga. It’s roots are from Africa.
The gold frills represent the golden
heritage of the séga. |
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9. A dress to represent the skins of
African animals. It was from the African
soil and environment, that the séga has
evolved, to finally end up in Mauritius. |
Congratulations to Marie-Rose Calou for
an outstanding
and unique fashion show.
You can write to Marie Rose
Calou at
marierosecalou@yahoo.com.au
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