Paris fashion week will likely have fewer stars glittering ringside this year, as the Versace label, famed for boasting one of the most glamorous front row line-ups of the season, has decided to pull out of the event. The trendsetting Italian firm's artistic head, Donatella Versace, has instead opted to display her spring/summer 2003 couture collection in the company's local boutique in a bid to save some cash.
The label, which has recently closed shops in London and Milan and has cut its advertising budget in half, has sacrificed the event as its latest cost-cutting measure. Showing off the latest Versace collection would have cost around £250,000 in modelling fees, while a high-profile after-show party would run around £100,000.
Instead, Versace's couture creations will be unveiled at the flagship store on Rue du Faubourg St Honore on Monday, with ten hand-sewn gowns displayed on specially-designed mannequins. The 500 invitees to the event will receive a hardcover silk-bound book filled with design sketches of the frocks. "This season's approach is different," says a spokesperson,"but this presenation is as official as ever."
Meanwhile, a Versace-less fashion week kicked off in Paris on Monday, with designers such as Dior, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Valentino hitting the runway. The four-day event, which closes on January 23, also includes catwalk shows from Chanel, Christian Lacroix, Givenchy, Emanuel Ungaro and Philip Treacy. On Tuesday, all eyes will be on Laurent Mercier, who presents his debut collection with Balmain.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
