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The
impressive landmark that
distinguishes Isle of Pines is the
theme chosen by "Creations Ile des
Pins" for its latest collection
2015. Graphic designer-artist,
Albert Thoma, uses varying shades
of green on which to paint
stylised Araucaria columnaris, the
pine indigenous to the island.
In his small outdoor studio on
Kuto Peninsula, Thoma designs,
sews, then paints. Each pine is
meticulously painted individually,
adding charm to the variety of
beachwear he produces in the only
hand-painting workshop on the
island.
His new collection, features
sarongs (paréos), long pants, a
mini-poncho and tops. The items
are only available on the spot at
the boutique next to the
Gendarmerie (police station).
Coinciding
with the launch of the new summer
'Pines' collection has been a
different and rare event concerning
the same indigenous pines. For the
first time in 15 years, 1,250 pine
cones were collected in January by a
specialised climber of the South
Province Forestry Department. Each
cone contains some 300 seeds. These
will be distributed to various
nurseries throughout the southern
part of the New Caledonia Mainland.
60
to 70% of the thousands of future
pines are expected to mature.
Technician, Jean- Francois Darmand,
explains: "While they will never be
as majestic as on their home ground,
they're 'plastic', meaning they're
capable of growing elsewhere, and
their controlled growth will
contribute to perpetuating this
endemic, symbolic species".
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Albert
Thoma, uses varying shades of
green on which to paint stylised
Araucaria columnaris, the pine
indigenous to the island. In his
small outdoor studio on Kuto
Peninsula, Thoma designs, sews, then
paints.
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