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DALLAS, Jul 15, 2003/ FW/ --- New York's gain will definitely be Paris' loss. The city holds couture dear to its heart.

Aside from sentimental reasons, it can also have an adverse effect in its economy, not only in lost jobs but the tourist dollars that the couture season brings.

It will also be a blow to the smaller design houses.

And this does not mean the established couture houses like Hanae Mori, Torrente and Carven who can hold their own. These houses have established clients and worst comes to worst, they can follow the path to New York.

The up and coming couture houses like Nicolas Le Cauchois, Dominique Sirop, Anne Valerie Hash and Adeline Andre will be hurt by a move to New York.

Their operations are not big enough to follow the big houses.

And what about the other stars in Paris like Jean-Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, Valentino, Versace, Givenchy and Emanuel Ungaro?

These houses already have offices in New York. It will just be a matter of reorganization.

The move to New York is a 'BIG IF'. As 'The Guardian' said, quoting Veronique Perez, fashion director of the Chanel press office, "Nothing has been decided, but it's not going to be an easy thing if we do that. It will need organisation, otherwise we will have nightmares."

Keeping the status quo might be the best thing right now. The tradition of haute couture should be upheld.

Françoise Montenay is right about two things - 'adaptability' and 'continuing to challenge oneself.'

Haute Couture, to survive another hundred years has to 'adapt' and 'continue to challenge itself.'

Françoise Montenay's statement might easily be the catalyst for a haute couture revival. And that will be music to the ears of the fashion flock.

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