Fashion house Dior has seen its US and European sales improve thanks to tourism and the success of designer John Galliano, Chief Executive Sidney Toledan has said.
Galliano's fin-de-siecle collection of severe riding jackets and dreamy dresses in sea green and antique pink drew praise from buyers and critics at Paris fashion week, as the shows for autumn and winter got into full swing.
"All the emerging markets are doing well, even Europe is showing positive signs," Toledano said after the show, waving good-bye to France's Economy Minister Christine Lagarde who was among the guests.
"The United States has been improving since the last quarter. Europe has resisted well – those are the countries that attract a lot of tourists. We have beautiful cities," he added.
Outside the Dior show in the sun-dappled Tuileries park, celebrities displayed the demure knee-length belted dresses and tailored coats that have made the brand a favourite with France's First Lady, model-turned-singer Carla Bruni. While French politicians were mostly absent at last year's fashion shows, reluctant to be photographed at the glitzy events while voters were struggling with recession, this year has seen a return of optimism.
A beaming Lagarde described the thigh-high boots and whispy gowns as "gorgeous" and "very daring" and gave a thumbs-up when asked about her expectations for French exports this year.
Toledano said Dior planned to expand this year.
In China, Dior will enlarge its existing shops and add new ones, he said.
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