The “Rivalry”

Suzy Menkes, IHT:

The fight between Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent — or, more accurately, the clash of two new titanic designers — is the story of this fashion season.

The fact that the two maisons are owned by rival luxury conglomerates — LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton for Dior and PPR for YSL — only adds to the sense that this in an epic contest.

Miles Socha, WWD:

The face-off of two fortysomething men’s wear mavericks on fashion’s biggest stage is likely to be the dominant story of the European season, compelling other designers in the French capital to up their game.

Katherine Omerod, Grazia:

For the almighty tussle between two newly appointed designers – Raf Simons at Dior and Hedi Slimane at YSL – is about to go off, and anticipation amongst fashion insiders is reaching fever-pitch.

Priscille Lafitte, France 24:

It might be raining and grey in Paris, but the launch of Fashion Week on Tuesday promised a whirlwind of excitement in the French capital as two of its biggest rival fashion houses are set to go head-to-head with their respective new creative directors.

Julien Neuville, Business of Fashion:

With fabled fashion innovators Raf Simons and Hedi Slimane scheduled to make their respective ready-to-wear debuts at Dior and Saint Laurent, two of French fashion’s most iconic houses, the stage is set for a historic Paris Fashion Week.