Chinese fashion brands cancel Paris Fashion Week shows because of coronavirus; Shanghai Fashion Week and China Fashion Week postponed

Six Chinese designers pull out of Paris showcase over virus outbreak that will keep Asian clients, influencers and editors away – some for fear of racial abuse

Most LVMH staff in China and Hong Kong will miss Paris and Milan fashion weeks because group requires them to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Europe

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Asian fashion bloggers fit in some shopping while attending fashion week in Milan last spring. The absence of fashion influencers, buyers and editors because of the coronavirus outbreak, and logistical problems it has caused, will keep six Chinese designer labels away from Paris Fashion Week this spring. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 12:15pm, 12 Feb 2020Updated: 12:26pm, 12 Feb 2020

The coronavirus outbreak has forced the postponement of Shanghai Fashion Week, scheduled to start on March 26, and China Fashion Week in Beijing, which was supposed to happen the same week in Beijing.

Meanwhile, six Chinese designers who normally show their collections during Paris Fashion Week said that they would not participate in the event, which begins on February 24, because of the outbreak.

Uma Wang, Shiatzy Chen, Masha Ma, Jarel Zhang, Calvin Luo and Maison Mai have all cancelled their shows in Paris.

Shiatzy Chen’s CEO, Harry Wang, said in a statement: “We think it is the most appropriate action after deep thoughts and considerations. We will now focus on a new format of communication to introduce our new collection.”

A model presents a look from the Shiatzy Chen spring/summer 2020 collection at Paris Fashion Week in September. The Chinese label will miss this month’s fashion week in the French capital because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Besides delays in production due to supply chain disruptions caused by the outbreak, Chinese brands also face possibly half-empty show venues, as most buyers, editors and influencers from China and neighbouring places such as Taiwan and Hong Kong will not be travelling to the shows in Europe this season.

In conversations with the Post, editors and public relations executives based in Asia have expressed concerns that they will be harassed or discriminated against in cities such as Milan and Paris, where there have been many reports of racist behaviour towards Asian individuals since the outbreak of the virus.

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