Everything
The luxury fashion sector has been hit hard by the global pandemic, particularly in Europe. Boutiques, warehouses and factories have been forced to close, but in struggle has come generosity with many fashion houses reopening to create much-needed PPE and cleaning products. Now, this sense of camaraderie has been extended further as the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga band together for a global initiative.
As first reported by the Business of Fashion, the French fashion industry’s biggest names will hold a one-off fashion auction to raise funds for non-profit organisation #ProtegeTonSoignant, which sources and distributes supplies to French healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The brain child of AMI chief executive Nicolas Santi-Weil and colette‘s founder Sarah Andelman, La Mode S’Engage, has brought on over 80 brands to participate and includes Chanel, Celine, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons, Imane Ayissi and Rabih Kayrouz.
With reference to the signature electric blue colour of #ProtegeTonSoignant, each designer has been tasked with either customising an item pulled from archival collections or creating a new garment or full look from scratch, meaning they are unique items. They will be sold to the highest bidder, with prices starting from 100 euros. If designers are unable to create the piece from the confines of their home, they are permitted to present a sketch.
So far, the organisation has raised over five million euros with the auction expected to rake in many more.
It will launch online on the La Mode S’Engage website, here, on May 1 at 12 p.m. CET and ill end on May 4 at 11.59 p.m. local time. Mark your calendars.
