{"id":445,"date":"2008-03-04T20:36:00","date_gmt":"2008-03-05T03:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wendybrandes.com\/blog\/?p=445"},"modified":"2008-03-04T20:36:00","modified_gmt":"2008-03-05T03:36:00","slug":"katoucha-niane-tribute-waris-dirie-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendybrandes.com\/blog\/2008\/03\/katoucha-niane-tribute-waris-dirie-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Katoucha Niane Tribute, Waris Dirie News"},"content":{"rendered":"

In November, I went with gorgeous blogger Bobble-Bee<\/a> to see a documentary on Yves Saint Laurent. As I noted at the time<\/a>, there were more black models on the runway in the old footage than we see nowadays.<\/p>\n

One of YSL’s favorite models was Katoucha Niane, called “the Black Princess” or “the Ebony Princess.” Last week, I was saddened to read that her body was pulled out of the River Seine<\/a>, several weeks after she went missing. It seems to be an accidental death; she apparently drowned while returning to the houseboat where she lived. She was 47 and is survived by three children.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Katoucha in YSL<\/span>
From katoucha-niane.com<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Katoucha was born in Guinea in Africa<\/a>. She moved to Paris in the early ’80s and worked for Thierry Mugler and Christian Lacroix as well as Saint Laurent. After she retired from modeling in 1994, she became an outspoken critic of female genital mutilation, which she endured at age 9. Last year, she published her biography in French.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Katoucha in Dior<\/span>
From <\/span>katoucha-niane.com<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

Here are links to obituaries that give a good overview of her often-troubled life:<\/p>\n