Fashion / Style

Paris Fashion Week will go ahead this September

Celine

It's official. The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode has confirmed that Paris Fashion Week will go ahead (almost) as planned this September and October 2020.

Womens Paris Fashion Week will take place from September 28 until October 6, showcasing Spring/Summer 2021 collections. According to a statement, the event "will comply for its implementation to the recommendations of public authorities."

It's a somewhat surprising move as much of the world is still under strict social-distancing regulation of the back of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak. Without a vaccine in sight anytime soon, it's almost certain that social-distancing including travel bans will still be in place come the September dates for this event. Many editors, buyers and even models and designers are unlikely to be able to travel to attend.

While the fate of fashion events still hang in the balance, many have chosen to either cancel or reevaluate how the shows are presented. The Mens fashion weeks, due to take place through June, were redesigned and presented digitally instead. Likewise, Couture Week initially cancelled and later announced a digital iteration coming up in July 2020. And while Dior has plans to go ahead with its Resort 2021 show, it has announced there will be no audience - it will be digitally streamable for attendees.

Then there are the houses that have chosen to step out of fashion weeks altogether. If Paris Fashion Week is indeed able to go ahead, there could be at least two big names missing from the list. Saint Laurent was one of the first brands to announce it would leave the fashion calendar and present its collections on its own terms. Similarly, Gucci announced it would move to a seasonless structure for its future pieces.

Other designers are choosing to get a little more creative with how they stage shows. Burberry announced that it would indeed proceed with its Fall show, an interesting move considering Britain is somewhat a coronavirus hotspot with strict gathering limits. But the House revealed its show would take place outside - which allow the event to more easily accomodate the enforced two-metre social-distancing rule.

At this stage, we know that Paris Fashion Week is set. But what this event will look like? We're not sure. Maybe it will be outside? Maybe it will happen digitally? Or perhaps it will be a smaller and more intimate affair. The future of fashion awaits.