Laug

André (1931-1984). French designer. After working as a military trainer and in an import company, he decided to abandon the north of France and moved to Paris. Here he made his fashion début, designing for the fashion house Raphael in its early days, and at the same time learning everything about the organization and the creative system in an haute couture maison. After three years he gave this up to work for Nina Ricci as the assistant to Monsieur Creay on the maison’s first collection for the American market. As a freelancer he also worked for Philippe Venet and Courrèges. Maria Antonelli invited him to Rome in 1961 and it turned out to be a successful relationship. He designed nine haute-couture collections for her and six prêt-à-porter during a partnership that lasted five years. In 1968 he opened his own atelier in Piazza di Spagna. His style was characterized by great care attached to the fabrics, and the almost austere elegance in his skilfully finished clothes. He died in Rome. Since then his griffe has continued under the management of Olivier.