Couture clothes are now free for everyone... to admire in online runway shows

With no guest list, the upcoming Paris Haute Couture Week will largely be opened to anyone wanting to watch the shows. Pictured here are couture designs by Elie Saab presented in 2016. Photo: AFP

The French Federation De La Haute Couture Et De La Mode (FHCM) has officially launched its dedicated online platform for Paris Haute Couture Week, which will run July 6-8, and unveiled its schedule.

For the first time ever, the shows of the week will be open to everyone... or nearly everyone. Here are a few tips on how to follow what amounts to a most unusual fashion event.

Read more: The rundown on fashion weeks and how they're coping with going digital

This season will be different. You won't be striding out in your most original outfit in an attempt to attend presentations by major fashion houses, there will be no loitering behind security barriers in the hopes of catching a glimpse of your favourite fashion icons.

Pyjamas or an old tracksuit will be enough to be suitably attired to see some of the most eagerly awaited shows on the planet and to browse through online content.

Faced with the coronavirus pandemic, the FHCM has decided to maintain its Haute Couture Fashion Week, but to make it exclusively online. As a result, for the first time ever the general public will be able to discover some of the most selective events on the planet.

Read more: Will runway shows with guests remain a mainstay of Milan Fashion Week?

Be warned, however, although there will be a handful of runway shows, you will probably not be able to attend all of them, and most of the available content will take the form of videos, interviews and mini-documentaries on the 2020 Autumn/Winter haute couture collections.

The new Paris Haute Couture Week website shows an interactive map of the city with additional content to be added in as the event proceeds. Photo: FHCM

Accessible via the web address hautecouture.fhcm.paris, the platform will also propose an immersive excursion through sounds.

There is also the programme for events in the Haute Couture Week, indicating that several major labels will be presenting their collections from July 6.

Read more: Without runways, designers get creative digitally for London Fashion Week

The first day will notably feature events by Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, Ralph & Russo, Azzaro Couture and Giambattista Valli.

Chanel will open the second day, and the third day will be marked by a final hybrid event by Valentino. The Italian fashion house will provide an online presentation on the inspiration for its haute couture show, which will also physically take place in Rome on July 21.

The FHCM has also made its dedicated platform for Paris Men's Fashion Week (parisfashionweek.fhcm.paris/fr), which is set to run July 9-13, accessible online. The schedule of events for the week will be made available soon. – AFP Relaxnews