Paris Fashion Week Opens on Internet
2020-07-08
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1Fashion Week has opened in Paris with clothing designers presenting their latest creations for autumn and winter.
2But this time, all the shows across the French capital are internet-only performances.
3The worldwide COVID-19 health crisis forced organizers to cancel in-person events.
4Some shows will be shown online "live," as they take place. Others will be recordings.
5The French Fashion Federation operates Paris Fashion Week.
6Federation officials decided last spring that because of social distancing guidelines, Paris Fashion Week would cancel in-person shows for one season.
7The trade group plans to return to normal in September, barring a second wave of COVID-19.
8French fashion designer Chanel presented a "live" show online Tuesday.
9The company has used this method once before.
10Last month, it showed part of a new fashion collection on the web live.
11The Italian company Valentino, however, is doing things differently.
12It is to offer an online preview Wednesday of what the company says will be a live performance this month in Rome.
13It says that the later event will "bring together the human and the digital touch, creating a dialogue where neither of them will take the lead."
14Valentino did not provide more details.
15The change in presentation saves time and will give lesser-known companies a chance to take part in Paris Fashion Week.
16"This season will definitely have changed the fashion industry moving forward, especially for smaller brands, said Jessica Michault, Editor-at-Large for fashion magazine ODDA.
17Many fashion critics say online presentations might work in some cases but not for top quality products.
18Reporter Long Nguyen is among them.
19"Paris is where designers show ideas, and ideas can't come through unless the shows are presented to breathing witnesses," he said, adding, "It's like physically going to Tibet or viewing it online - it's not the same experience."
20Paris Fashion Week organizers have said that next season, in September's women's ready-to-wear clothing, there will be a return to "normal," in-person shows.
21But there are expected to be changes to permit social distancing.
22Fashion companies may have to seek bigger spaces or reduce attendance numbers.
23"Nothing beats being at a fashion show, sitting on the front row and seeing the clothes up close, but something's going to have to give," ODDA's Michault said.
24Menswear shows are set to begin on July 14 in Milan, Italy.
25Organizers there also plan a mostly internet event.
26However, two big design companies, Dolce&Gabbana and Etro, plan to delay their presentations for a month and hold live shows.
27The coronavirus epidemic was confirmed in Italy during Milan's shows in February.
28Designer Giorgio Armani decided to hold his show online February 23.
29Many critics protested at the time that the online show is not good enough.
30However, the virus looks like it might lead to even more changes in the field of high-fashion.
31Saint Laurent and Gucci are rethinking the seasonal production of the fashion industry.
32They have announced they will stop following the four-shows-a-year business model.
33Last week, Parisian design group Mugler seemed to agree with that idea.
34It said it would present two shows a year instead of four to show all its new creations.
35I'm Caty Weaver.
1Fashion Week has opened in Paris with clothing designers presenting their latest creations for autumn and winter. But this time, all the shows across the French capital are internet-only performances. The worldwide COVID-19 health crisis forced organizers to cancel in-person events. 2Some shows will be shown online "live," as they take place. Others will be recordings. 3The French Fashion Federation operates Paris Fashion Week. Federation officials decided last spring that because of social distancing guidelines, Paris Fashion Week would cancel in-person shows for one season. The trade group plans to return to normal in September, barring a second wave of COVID-19. 4French fashion designer Chanel presented a "live" show online Tuesday. The company has used this method once before. Last month, it showed part of a new fashion collection on the web live. 5The Italian company Valentino, however, is doing things differently. It is to offer an online preview Wednesday of what the company says will be a live performance this month in Rome. It says that the later event will "bring together the human and the digital touch, creating a dialogue where neither of them will take the lead." 6Valentino did not provide more details. 7The change in presentation saves time and will give lesser-known companies a chance to take part in Paris Fashion Week. 8"This season will definitely have changed the fashion industry moving forward, especially for smaller brands, said Jessica Michault, Editor-at-Large for fashion magazine ODDA. 9Many fashion critics say online presentations might work in some cases but not for top quality products. Reporter Long Nguyen is among them. 10"Paris is where designers show ideas, and ideas can't come through unless the shows are presented to breathing witnesses," he said, adding, "It's like physically going to Tibet or viewing it online - it's not the same experience." 11Paris Fashion Week organizers have said that next season, in September's women's ready-to-wear clothing, there will be a return to "normal," in-person shows. But there are expected to be changes to permit social distancing. Fashion companies may have to seek bigger spaces or reduce attendance numbers. 12"Nothing beats being at a fashion show, sitting on the front row and seeing the clothes up close, but something's going to have to give," ODDA's Michault said. 13Menswear shows are set to begin on July 14 in Milan, Italy. Organizers there also plan a mostly internet event. However, two big design companies, Dolce&Gabbana and Etro, plan to delay their presentations for a month and hold live shows. 14The coronavirus epidemic was confirmed in Italy during Milan's shows in February. Designer Giorgio Armani decided to hold his show online February 23. Many critics protested at the time that the online show is not good enough. 15However, the virus looks like it might lead to even more changes in the field of high-fashion. 16Saint Laurent and Gucci are rethinking the seasonal production of the fashion industry. They have announced they will stop following the four-shows-a-year business model. 17Last week, Parisian design group Mugler seemed to agree with that idea. It said it would present two shows a year instead of four to show all its new creations. 18I'm Caty Weaver. 19Thomas Adamson reported this story for the Associated Press. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. was the editor. 20________________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22fashion -n. the business of creating and selling clothes in new styles 23preview -n. to see, hear, or show something (such as a movie) before it is available to the public 24digital -adj. using or characterized by computer technology 25dialogue -n. a conversation between two or more people 26brand -n. a category of products that are all made by a particular company and all have a particular name 27row -n. a series of persons or things set up in a line 28epidemic -n. an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people