The world's four main fashion institutions come together at Hyères

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Apr 24, 2016

Invited by the French Federation of Fashion and of Ready-to-Wear Couturiers and Fashion Designers in the framework of the Hyères International Festival of Fashion and Photography, the directors of the American, Italian and British fashion federations were all present. It was the opportunity for the main fashion bodies to come together and initiate "informal and friendly discussions," as stated by the French Federation's President, Ralph Toledano, to FashionMag.

It was on the very discreet and relaxed terrace of the Hôtel Bor on Hyères beach that the informal meeting took place, on Sunday morning, between Ralph Toledano, Pascal Morand, respectively President and Executive President of the French Federation, Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), Carlo Capasa, President of the Camera della Moda Italiana (The National Chamber of Italian Fashion) and Caroline Rush, Executive Director of the British Fashion Council. Also present was Laurence Sudre-Monnier, the French Federation's Director of External Relations.

"It's the first time that we all met together. We discussed some of the major themes concerning fashion today, such as sustainable development, technologies, training. We launched some avenues of thought that will allow us to move things along," summed up Carlo Capasa at the conclusion of the meeting.

"I met Carlo Capasa at a debate on sustainable development in Paris and I thought it would be interesting to discuss this topic with everyone. That's why I invited all my counterparts to Hyères. We have a certain number of common topics of interest, such as digital as well. It is important to launch thoughts on these common topics, which need to mature before becoming concrete proposals for our adherents," explained Ralph Toledano, who is looking to be a part of "dialogue and openness".

The question concerning the future of the fashion calendars, which is stirring up the fashion planet so much at the moment, was not brought up. It was neither the time nor the place to relaunch a debate, one which has recently divided the Federations. Especially since Paris, Milan, New York and London need to plan the calendars for 2018, 2019 and 2020.

"On the topic of the Fashion Weeks, there are experiments in progress. Every House has its own characteristics and logic. We will see what they bring," concluded Ralph Toledano.

"We are not on the verge of a revolution. It is more a matter of a transition," esteems Caroline Rush for her part.