Paris Fashion Week starts after Balmain robbery

The frantic fashion season makes its final stop in Paris. The major question is whether adored company Balmain can bounce back following the theft of 50 garments last week.

Paris Fashion Week starts after robbery: “We received a call from our driver informing us that a group of individuals had attacked him. Olivier Rousteing, Balmain’s creative director, posted on Instagram on September 16 that more than 50 items had been stolen.”

“My team and I put a lot of effort into this. Even by the lightning-fast pace of the fashion industry, it is a tall order to put a collection together by the time his show opens on Wednesday night, but we will work even harder, day and night, he added.

He has the support of the fashion set.

“I have faith that you and your inventiveness will prevail over this!” Donatella Versace commented in the thread.

Buyers, bloggers, and influencers are still analysing the hundreds of new trends shown in London, New York, and Milan through September as the spring and summer 2024 womenswear collections arrive in Paris.

There are now 107 labels in total for the nine days in the French capital, including well-known names like Christian Dior, Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Celine. Of them, 67 are holding runway shows and 40 are hosting online presentations.

After experiencing a boom during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, analysts say the fashion market is starting to cool off a bit.

According to Luca Solca, head of luxury goods research at Bernstein, “consumers are waking up from the post-pandemic euphoria and luxury spending growth will undoubtedly moderate.” Solca’s article appeared in the online publication Business of Fashion.

But he went on to say that “rising income and wealth inequality are boosting spending power at the top of the socio-economic pyramid” and that businesses are getting very good at focusing on the top 5% of customers, who make up 40% of sales.

royal relationship

Balmain is more focused on the here and now.

According to Sciences Po University fashion specialist Serge Carreira, it’s a “unique” case.

“Occasionally, a package might get lost in transit,” he told AFP. But this place has lost a remarkable number of parts.

The closest comparable incident included Marc Jacobs, who had his presentation scheduled but had an entire collection stolen on a train from Paris to London.

After more than 20 years at the helm, Sarah Burton will also present her final collection for Alexander McQueen this week.

After Lee Alexander McQueen committed suicide in 2010, she took over and made a name for herself by creating Kate Middleton’s wedding gown for her union with Prince William.

Another connection to royalty: Maria Grazia Chiuri, the creative director of Dior, gave a presentation on Tuesday, just after receiving a prestigious order to create the flowing navy-blue gown for Queen Camilla to wear to her state supper at Versailles on Wednesday. Olivier Rousteing, Balmain’s creative director, posted on Instagram on September 16 that a bunch of individuals had attacked our driver and stolen more than 50 items.

A day devoted to up-and-coming designers, including avant-garde Belgian designer Marie Adam-Leenaerdt, kicks off fashion week as usual. Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, the founder’s nephew, was in charge when Pierre Cardin made its first appearance at Paris Fashion Week in 25 years back in March.

The mansion is rife with conflict over the empire’s inheritance, with family members accusing one another of fraud and other offences.