These days, it’s hard to find a subject without being seen like the common naive who gazes at her navel… Yet, I promised myself that this little column will remain light and creative, and I will force myself to keep to it.
I just finished buying all the items for our next winter collection. With my “partner-in-crime” Julie, we went from showrooms to fairs, in Paris and Milan. The assessment is a bit rough…
On one hand, there are the brands we have been trusting for a long time, the ones that never deceive us, the safe bets. And on the other hand, … Not much.
I’ll explain.
You know that at Victoire, for more than 60 years, we have our heart set on offering new items every season, from exclusive brands that you won’t find elsewhere. That is part of our DNA. We are gold miners… And it is clear, my friends, that gold nuggets are scarce. And it isn’t because we are not looking for them!
Everything started with the Covid pandemic, almost 6 years ago to the day, on March 17th, 2020… And since then, the world of fairs never really found its momentum back.
Take the Tuileries, for example, it is historically the accessories temple, well, half of the fair’s surface is now allocated to “Matter and Shape”: design, architecture, art… Maybe more “bankable” and trendier, I don’t know…
Anyway, having a stand at these fairs has become a luxury almost unaffordable for a small brand or a young designer. We witness it in Paris as well as in Milan: surfaces shrunk increasingly, for lack of exhibitors…
Creativity, abundance, unexpected discoveries… in short, everything that makes it spicy is unfortunately not very much there anymore, and if you want my opinion on it, it’s quite sad.
Rest assured, you will still have a beautiful selection this winter.
And if you know a small brand which is matches our style, and which is looking for a nice setting to showcase its creations… Think about us!
Have a nice weekend,
Camille
