Much like New York’s Garment District, France’s industry of specialized artisans is in trouble. And even the prime minister is getting involved, according to the Wall Street Journal.

One major topic of discussion is expected to be rules on labeling, as in making sure it is known exactly where a garment is produced and if it has artisanal nature—which sounds very much like a high end version of the old “Made in the USA” campaign. Because outsourcing and the simple decline in orders for luxury goods is leaving many of the “petites mains” who helped build France’s fashion influence out of work. This also leads to problems when trying to train a new generation.

Karl Lagerfeld is playing Fabu, the villain in an animated French film called Totally Spies.

It’s based on a long-running French TV show that revolves around three high-school aged girls who turn into secret agents - and it couldn’t sound further from Karl’s typical starlet-filled Chanel films.

The movie opens in France in July, which makes it perfect post-couture entertainment.

Needless to say, we’ll be devastated if the cartoon Karl doesn’t look like real Karl and the girls battle foreign evils with anything other than quilted 2.55s and gun heels.

Is Hachette gearing up for another magazine?

There’s someone going around Paris taking street style photos on behalf of “a new French magazine that’s coming out in September, as part of the ELLE group”.

We’re not sure how this fits in with Hachette’s recent cost-cutting measures, but isn’t it interesting that France and the UK seem to be going ahead with new magazines while America’s shut down one by one?

Hopefully, more information tres soon.

Lydia Hearst may be best known for her UES roots on this side of the Atlantic, but in France, Ms. Hearst appears to be all model.

Not only did Femmes choose the Hitchcock-blonde as star of their relaunch edition, but the heiress also appears in another French magazine this month, Citizen K, in an editorial shot by Gregory Derkenne.

Maybe they have her confused with Grace Kelly?

Décidez!