PARIS, Jan 20, 2004/ FW/ --- What is it about the security guards at the Paris shows that make them stand out among the rest?

Are they chosen more for their good genes or their crowd control abilities?

Last October, when my mother accompanied me to see the Paris ready-to-wear season, she thought that they were models.

I explained to her that they were not; that their midnight blue suits and red ties are dead giveaways that they are security/ushers for the shows.

“Well, they can walk on the runway, and I will not know the difference,” my mother commented.

The interesting part is that my mother was right.

As I sat at the shows, with a predominantly female audience, (this is the haute couture season after all) I cannot help but wonder if the show organizers have chosen these good looking guards as eye candy for the ladies.

And then, one is left to ask, “what about the crowd control aspect?”

Then again, there is really not much need for crowd control during the shows.

Everyone is polite. They come in with their invitations in hand, and are willingly led to their assigned seats.

Unless I ask the Head of Security of the Chambre Syndicale, I will never know the answers to my questions.

Meanwhile, I’ll just sit here and enjoy the great view!