What's a fashion designer to do during a pandemic? Turn to film directing

Fashion designer Julien Fournie (middle) spent three days shooting a film in his Paris workshop for the Spring/Summer 2021 Paris Haute Couture Week. Photo: Reuters

French fashion designer Julien Fournie first learned to wield a pair of scissors, then to design a dress on an iPad. Now, the global pandemic has forced him to pick up a new skill – as film director.

Paris Haute Couture Week is normally a riot of runway shows where the fashion crowd congregate in sumptuous locations. This year, Covid-19 means most live events are off.