January 14, 2016
View from Four Seasons Paris
Paris is planning to pay “very special attention” to security measures for the upcoming fashion shows scheduled for later this month.
The terrorist attacks of Nov. 13 that killed 130 people have left Paris on edge, and with that, security will be a top priority during the Men’s Fashion Week fall/winter 2016-17 and Haute Couture spring/summer 2016 presentations. The men’s shows are scheduled for Jan. 20-24, with couture showing in the days following on Jan. 24-28.
Keeping it safe
Brands presenting during Men’s Fashion Week and Haute Couture are not publicly sharing the scheduled times of their runway shows on modeaparis.com’s Web site. Rather, the site tells interested consumers to “see invitation.” This will help fashion week planners keep tabs on who is attending.
The Parisian police stations in the arrondissements where the shows are held will beef up security and recommend that the participating brands check ID cards and bags at every venue. But, the police are acknowledging that the procedures implemented will be governed by the brand and the venue.
In a statement given to WWD, Pascal Morand, executive president of the Fédération française de la Couture, du Prêt à Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode, said, “There’s close cooperation between the Fédération and its members, the state services and the Paris police prefecture. Recent tragic events induce us to increased vigilance.”
Likewise, a spokeswoman for Chanel told WWD, “Security of our guests is always a priority, in any context. Chanel is working closely with the police prefecture and state services and will reinforce its security plan in accordance with safety instructions of the authorities.”
Chanel Haute Couture show, spring/summer 2015
An estimated 500 journalists have been accredited for press passes to the Paris men’s shows and 700 for Haute Couture. While the Fédération suggests that not all will come given the heightened security and fears of a second terrorist attack striking the city, the numbers are similar to the year-ago presentations.
Brands participating in Men's Fashion Week include Kenzo, Lanvin, Dior, Maison Margiela, Louis Vuitton, Balmain, Valentino, Raf Simons, Berluti, Hermès and more. Haute Couture is attended by Chanel, Dior, Schiaparelli, Maison Margiela, Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Armani and Versace, among others.
The tourism industry has likely been hit the hardest in the aftermath of Nov. 13’s events.
For the first time since 2011, Paris is not among the top 10 international destinations, according to a recent survey by Travel Leaders Group.
The Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, in which armed Daesh militants attacked several locations in rapid succession, leaving 130 dead and hundreds injured, are largely attributable to the drop. At the same time, an optimistic consumer outlook projects to vastly increased booking and spending in 2016 (see story).
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