Fashion too stepped through the new doors of Notre-Dame

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know that this Saturday, the heavy doors of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral finally reopened, five years after the flames of a devastating fire consumed it. While news of its rebirth, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, has spread worldwide, the steadfast and comforting presence of the fashion world, from the tragedy to its reopening, may have gone unnoticed. Fashion made its presence felt as soon as news of the fire began to spread, with many industry figures expressing their sadness, including Riccardo Tisci, Clare Waight Keller, Anthony Vaccarello, Olivier Rousteing, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Later, some figures went beyond kind words to contribute financially to its reopening: François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Kering, donated $113 million for restoration, while Bernard Arnault, of LVMH, pledged $226 million. The Bettencourt Meyers family, which controls L'Oréal, also promised $226 million.

But the moment when fashion officially became part of the basilica's reconstruction process was when Jean-Charles De Castelbajac, king of primary colors, was commissioned to create the liturgical garments for the officiants at its reopening. Priests, deacons, and canons were dressed yesterday in the now-famous robe that had already made rounds on the internet well before the reopening. Blending tradition, religion, and contemporary fashion, the designer returned to the religious fashion scene this Saturday after previously making waves with his rainbow vestments worn by Pope John Paul II in 1997.

As for the opening ceremony, fashion also entered through the doors pushed open by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, who knocked on the cathedral doors three times with a crosier, symbolizing his pastoral mission. French luxury magnates Bernard Arnault and François-Henri Pinault, accompanied by his wife Salma Hayek, were, of course, present. Several current and former first ladies also attended, including Brigitte Macron in all-black attire with a Lady Dior in hand, and Carla Bruni wearing an outfit from Dior archives by John Galliano, which she had previously worn in 2008 during a visit with her husband to Queen Elizabeth II. And in addition to the organ music echoing through the cathedral Saturday evening, a key figure in today’s fashion scene performed: Pharrell Williams. The artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection sang his hit "Happy," dressed in a simple yet striking outfit consisting of a cap, a fur bomber jacket, jeans, and sneakers.