Marche Flottant du Lac Inle II by Dimitri Rybaltchenko

The Floating Market of Lake Inle II by Dimitri Rybaltchenko is a detail of his 1998 design, titled Marche Flottant du lac Inle.

The Marche Flottant du Lac Inle II is a beautiful close up of the original design and was part of the Spring Summer 2002 Collection.

Here we are so close to that we can almost hear the hustle and bustle on this freshwater lake located in today’s Myanmar. Lake Inle is home to approximately 70,000 people, who live in four cities and numerous small villages along the lake’s shores and on the lake itself.

Transportation on the lake is traditionally by small boats, whereby the women sit cross legged at the stern using the oar with their hands.

As the lake is covered by flaoting plants and reeds, local fishermen practice a distinctive rowing style which enables them to see. Standing at the stern on one leg and wrapping the other leg around the oar provides the rower with a view beyond the reeds. 

In addition to fishing, farming takes place in floating gardens whereby farmers gather up lake-bottom weeds and turn them into floating beds. Anchored by bamboo poles these gardens are incredibly fertile and produce anything from rice to tomatoes.

Dimitri Rybaltchenko beautifully captures Burmese life on Lake Inle.

Here in a beautiful theme appropriate colorway (col.06) of pale blues punctuated with vibrant orange and purple hues and verdant greens.