, Columnist
Why Gucci and Dior Want to Rebuild Notre Dame
It's no accident that LVMH and Kering led the way for donations to salvage the cathedral.
High fashion’s love of Paris goes beyond artistic appreciation.
Photographer: Joel Saget/AFP
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If the fire at Notre Dame cathedral had happened 20 or 50 years ago, France’s luxury fashion houses would surely have rushed to support its reconstruction as quickly as they did in 2019.
There is no doubting the sincerity of LVMH, Kering SA and their founding families, who led the way with donations after the devastation earlier this week. The city of Paris, its streets and landmarks, have held a special role as the artistic center of the industry since its earliest days, so to restore what has been lost is to preserve its own history.