Fashion houses Chanel and Prada have scrapped plans for upcoming fashion shows in Asia because of the coronavirus outbreak, which is crimping spending on luxury goods.
French designer Chanel on Tuesday postponed its May show in Beijing given “the current situation and following the guidance of Chinese authorities,” it said. Italian fashion house Prada also called off a May show in nearby Japan, citing the viral outbreak that has killed nearly 1,900 people worldwide, mostly in China.
In Japan, there are only 74 coronavirus cases and 1 death, but the island nation, which has the third most cases worldwide, is desperately working to contain the outbreak, including by cancelling the emperor’s birthday celebrations later this month.
Neither Chanel nor Prada gave new dates for their shows.
The 111-year-old Chanel said it is monitoring the situation with “the health and well-being of its teams and clients” as a priority. Milan’s Prada made a similar comment, saying the postponement is “an act of responsibility and respect” for people working on or planning to attend the show.
The outbreak, which has sickened more than 72,400 people in China, has proven to be a major cause of business disruptions for luxury retailers seeking to profit off that country’s growing nouveau riche. British fashion label Burberry, for example, warned earlier this month that the coronavirus was slamming luxury demand in China and Hong Kong.
Labels owned by the French luxury giant Kering, including Gucci, are bracing for smaller audiences at their fashion shows this month, the company has said. The conglomerate has also put off new store openings and spending on social media because of the virus.
“We are seeing a sharp drop in traffic and sales in mainland China,” Kering chairman Francois-Henri Pinault said last week.
With Post wires
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