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Health & Fitness

French Haute Couture Designer Laure Kczekotowska - The Metamorphosis

How determination, motivation, and passion for creativity healed and inspired Haute Couture French Designer Laure Kczekotowska's latest collection.

Khalil Gibran’s eternally poignant words, “One may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night” poetically frame French Haute Couture Designer Laure Kczekotowska’s recent stumble into the fractured pathos of darkness and her stalwart efforts to re-emerge into the lightness of being after a fall down an old stone staircase, head first, left her severely injured in the midst of launching her new 'Couture' to Wear Collection, 'LK Paris'.

For fifteen years, Kczekotowska’s exquisitely embroidered collections have captured the baroque splendor of romance and the alluring whispers of daring aspiration. Her silhouettes have graced a count load of magazines, in particular; Vogue Italy, Elle Slovenia, and U.S. Bride and been featured on television segments worldwide. Global runways including the prestigious, Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, have illuminated her creations such as her opulently beaded corsets with ethereal flaring tulle hemlines that subtly toy with seduction and showcased the religious handwork of dazzling gemstones nesting on delicate French laced elegant gowns that finessly drape a woman’s curves.

Born into a family who honored handcraft traditions, she learned sewing techniques and embroidery at a young age sparking her interest in a fashion career.  After studying Interior Architecture, Economy and getting a Masters Degree in Law, and working as an artist’s agent, this multi-talented extraordinaire finally began her soulful journey into couture designing, launching her first two brands: 'Laure K' – a wedding gown line and 'Laure Kczekotowska' – Haute Couture designs.

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In 2011, she designed a 'Couture' to Wear Collection: 'LK Paris' an affordable luxury line designed for stylishly active women with a touch of 'glam rock'. Using Haute Couture cuts and designs with more affordable materials 'made in France', her Fall 2012 collection beckons all women to explore their dark side and boldly expose it to the world. Midnight black pieces finely detailed with appliqués, feathers, and delicate fall laces celebrate the 'adventurous woman who is strong, confident, and free-spirited.'

This independent designer has fearlessly crossed numerous frontiers with her explosive creativity and passion, making her distinct presence in a highly competitive, saturated arena and proving she is a strong contender. Like her 'LK Paris' collection, Kczekotowska, a mother of three, is confident, strong, independent and fiercely determined.

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On April 4, 2012, Kczekotowska showed her strength and perseverance to the world, once again, when she fell down head first on a flight of old stone steps in her home, and survived.  While she had the reflex to protect her face with her hands, the top of her head slammed into the stone floor. She felt an intense pain in her arms and realized she had broken bones, but didn’t quite comprehend the consequences.

The emergency unit arrived and whisked her away on a stretcher with her limbs immobilized. While in the ambulance, she was cold and sleepy but forced herself not to doze, as she had learned this in first aid.

Kczekotowska said: “My situation was strange and paradoxical.” One part of her mind knew she was facing a grave situation and the other part said: “Everything will go well and you'll run in a few days.”

While Kczekotowska has made leaps and bounds in this world, running in a few days after the accident would just not be possible.

She was in critical condition suffering from a head trauma: partial amnesia, some confusion and timing/spatial disorders with, thankfully, no skull fracture. However, there were numerous serious fractures to both of her arms requiring immediate surgery and the placement of pins. As though it was an irony of fate, weeks prior, Kczekotowska had made inquiries with an insurer about her arms in case she had any problems and had scheduled an appointment ironically landing on the day she had surgery on her arms. Adding to the irony, she had wanted to a reconstructive surgeon in her early years.

Her private showing in Los Angeles had to be canceled and the future loomed with uncertainties. Kczekotowska’s eldest daughter, only 19 years old, picked up the reins and still made sure that her mother’s collection appeared in Fashion Week in Tunis 12/13, knowing that it was close to her heart. While in the hospital, and practically immobile, she consulted with her daughter by phone. It was quite a challenge to hold the phone to her ear so the neighboring patient would often assist. Her job required her to make decisions, so there was no time to feel sorry for herself.

When she finally left the hospital, Kczekotowska refused to go in a rehabilitation center because she feared it would isolate her from the rest of the world. The most challenging aspect for her was depending on others. Simple tasks became complicated. She had no more strength in her hands and severe bodily pain. Her confidence in herself was waning as her identity was being examined under a new optical lens.

She went into a period of denial, believing that everything was all right.  After seeing an orthopedic psychologist, it helped her understand her situation, accept it and put efforts into her recovery. Kczekotowska was primarily raised by her grandparents who had lived through two wars, crisis, and deprivation and they had taught her to make the best of every experience, even the most painful.

Creativity played an important role in her healing process. While trying to rest as much as she could, she decided to make something special for Haute Couture fashion entirely on her own: designing, sewing and the embroidery. She needed to return to the beginning and wanted to be alone with just the tranquil sound of her breath as she worked.  Her ambitions were a tall order considering her health condition, but her passion and spirit guided her and what emerged was a collection that is an allegory of life.

Friend and talented director, Thomas Chevillion, from NEWKID productions collaborated with her on a video to capture the story behind her creations.  The visual translation of the video revolves around Khalil Gibran's quote: “One may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night”. The filming took place on June 26th and it was the first time that Kczekotowska had worked with a team of people since her accident. It left her exhausted but she didn’t care, because it was the most exhilarating and transformational work she had done in years.

The silhouettes capture a complexly human metamorphosis. Kczekotowska’s second dress, which resembles a warrior, contains a pin that was removed from her arm, serving as a metaphor that something good can come out of the negative. The silver corset symbolizes the chrysalis before processing and finally the white robe, a wedding dress which is as light as feathers, is the metamorphosis.

She says: “The accident has regenerated me in a way. We live in a society that loses its reference point and the meaning of life.”

She doesn’t know which direction her future collection will take because she’s very sensitive to the influences from her experiences, personal encounters and travels. Whichever path she takes, she will continue to push creative boundaries. She is certain, however, of her coming of age. Kczekotowska has gained a new sensibility towards life and a more mature type of femininity which will be reflected in her work.

“Never give up,” Kczekotowska says. “We must set goals, even if they seem overwhelming. Passion can "move mountains" and lead us beyond what we imagine."

She concluded: "Open your eyes to the world around you, and do not think about what we do not have, but the good things that life has given us.”

The Metamorphosis (a poem by Laure Kczekotowska)

I was plunged alone in the deepest darkness ...
The Fall continuing ... again and again ... I was falling ...
I was sinking into silence ... In the nonsense of sorrow ...

So ... resigned, awaited ...
That once again the universe come to me.

And ... I folded my aching limbs to fall asleep in a silver cocoon ...
The calmness and peace returned ...

Then... I heard ... noises ....
a screeching ...
... one breath ... voices like whispers ...
distant laughter moving closer ...
Life ...

Little by little I moved ... got up again ... free from the constraints.
I felt the light, and the gentle caress of summer sun ...
At last ... I existed ...
And ... I stretched out my my arms to the world, like the wings of a Phoenix ...

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