The gilets jaunes — the “yellow vest” anti-government protests in France have seen the European country descend into utter chaos for nine consecutive weeks, have now impacted big brands like Dior and Thom Browne at the Fall 2019 Paris men’s shows.
Dior, part of the LVMH luxury goods company, wrote to guests and rescheduled its menswear catwalk show initially planned for Saturday, January 19, a day in which protesters usually head to Paris and other big cities across France.
Kim Jones’s second Paris runway collection for the brand has now moved from its 5:00 p.m. Saturday time slot to Friday at 6:00 p.m. In 2018, demonstrators smashed up Dior’s Champs Elysees boutique on November 26 and stole goods and caused damage worth reportedly €1 million.
Luxury boutiques have been prime targets during demonstrations. Chanel, which protected its windows with black plywood, saw graffiti sprayed on its walls with slogans such as “yellow is the new black”.
Other brands showing on Saturday at Paris Fashion Week include Sacai, Loewe, Thom Browne, White Mountaineering and Hermès. However, Thom Browne has reportedly moved its show from Saturday to Friday as well.
Police in Paris fired water cannon and teargas at gilet jaunes (yellow vest) protesters on January 12, during the ninth consecutive weekend of demonstrations. The demonstrations began as a protest against a new eco-tax on petrol and diesel, but have since expanded to include a wide range of demands such as President Emmanuel Macron’s resignation and higher cost of living.
Ralph Toledano, president of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, said in a recent statement that the organisation is “working with the Paris police, which have made a number of recommendations concerning locations and time slots. Naturally, they are implementing every possible and imaginable measure, so we have followed those recommendations in a responsible manner.”
The menswear shows follow others in London and Milan, and precede the womenswear season that runs through February and early March.
