Fear and Clothing

A global financial crisis can make or break. Most fashion houses that have their hand firmly affixed on their finances and spending will endure hard times while other, perhaps more flamboyant designers, will struggle.

It seems that Christian Lacroix has experienced the worst of the global financial crisis. This Tuesday, it was time for many tears and hugs, and for now, Lacroix has taken a final bow - at least until his finances are sorted out.

Lacroix was never a conservative designer. Flamboyant, vivid and -to some-outrageous, he definitely added color to the catwalk. It’s strange to think that this will be his final haute couture show and it’s also a fashion tragedy. Gone is one of the few, and I mean few, fashion innovators.

“I can’t think this is the end,” Lacroix told Associated Press Television News in a backstage interview. “It’s the beginning of something, I hope.”

Lacroix blamed his financial problems, which have dogged the house over its 22-year history, on a “lack of chemistry” between the business and creative sides of the company, which was bought from luxury giant LVMH by the Falic Group, a US duty-free retailer, in 2005.

Lacroix said he hopes to relaunch the haute couture line and a “very high-end” ready-to-wear collection, as well as more accessible perfume and sunglasses collections. He estimated it would take about euro50 million to properly relaunch the label, and said Tuesday’s show - held at Les Arts Decoratifs museum, would serve as a showcase to seduce possible financiers.

“We had to show what we know, what we can do,” Lacroix said. His friends and supporters pitched in, with a prestigious embroiderer working for free, a high-end shoe brand donating the models’ towering heels and the makeup artists and hairdressers working for free. Only the 12 models were paid, Lacroix said. (source: Associated Press)