The most iconic picture of Talitha Getty, pictured here with husband Paul on the rooftop of their home, The Pleasure Palace, in Marrakesh, Morocco in January 1969. Photographed by Patrick Lichfield, image from talithagetty.tripod.com I was thumbing through the thick September issue of Harper's Bazaar over the weekend, and came across the words louche boho. Annamaria Wilson had mentioned it in an article about High Low fashion, with a reference to Talitha Getty. The nerd in me had to look up the exact meaning of the word louche. Instead of getting the full impact of the expression, however, I ended up more dumbfounded.
The etymology of the word is the Old French word losche, meaning squint-eyed. Huh? It's an adjective used to describe someone of questionable taste or morality; one who is dubious, shady, and suspicious; one who is not reputable nor decent.
Now I wonder, why is it necessary to attach the word louche to boho? Is there a shady bohemian versus a decent bohemian? If so, how different are their aesthetics? I can't comprehend ...
And why is Talitha Getty's style characterized as louche and boho? True, the icon did pass away due to a heroin overdose and was not known to be the most prudish of characters. But she was wife to a Getty! How is she louche? And what does that add to being boho? Still confused.
1 comment:
She kind of looks gypsy-ish. Maybe losche (sp?) in olden days was used to describe gypsy's so it's referred the boho/gypsy look?
I tried..LOL
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