French Federation unveils January menswear provisional show calendar; includes Milan-based Jil Sander

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Dec 25, 2020

The Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), French fashion’s governing body, has unveiled the menswear show calendar for January 2021, and in a major coup the season will again include Milan-based Jil Sander.

In an impressive display of commitment to the French runway season, a total of 71 houses are featured on the calendar. Though, as yet, a final decision has not been made by many houses on whether they will stage a live catwalk show; phygital event or classical presentation.
 
The season, which will feature fall/winter 2021 collections, runs from Tuesday, January 19 to Sunday January 24.

The action kicks off on Tuesday morning with French tailoring powerhouse Berluti and climaxes on Sunday evening with Celine. Jil Sander will open the Sunday morning shows, marking the third time the Hamburg-born, Italian-based and Japanese owned house has come to Paris.

 
Under the husband and wife team of Lucie and Luke Meier the house of Jil Sander has enjoyed a powerful revival. There have even been recent reports that Italian fashion entrepreneur Renzo Rosso is mulling a bid for Jil Sander via his group OTB.
 
The French season will also boast such powerhouse marques as Louis Vuitton; Dior Men and Hermès along with influential designer brands as Yohji Yamamoto, Rick Owens, Dries Van Noten, Vetements, Paul Smith, Loewe and Thom Browne.
 
Out of the total of 71 marques listed on the calendar now published on FHCM website, a total of 41 are listed in bold, indicating that they are considering staging an actual live show or event.
 
Though the FHCM cautioned that: “Formats will be specified when final calendar is published.” 
 
Four noted maisons have also been granted official show status on the calendar: LGN Louis-Gabriel Nouchi; Kolor and Taakk both of Japan; and Wales Bonner from the UK.
 
A further four debutants with make official presentation debuts. They are Arturo Obegero, Basscoutur and Valette Studio, all from France; and Kidill from Japan.