How Luxury Lost Its Louis Vuitton

(PARIS) The ripe rumor going through the rafters at the Louis Vuitton show Sunday night was that company chief Yves Carcelle had called journalist Dana Thomas personally to inform her that she would never be invited to another Vuitton show or event as long as he was still in charge. It was apparent that Carcelle was miffed by the veteran fashion industry reporter's new book, Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, and in particular by how she called LVMH Moët Hennessey's crown jewel brand "the McDonald's of the luxury industry: it's far and away the leader, brags of millions sold, has stores at all the top tourist sites--usually steps away from a McD's--and has a logo as recognizable as the Golden Arches." During the brief phone conversation, Thomas was said to have replied, in a cordial yet terse manner, "Thank you very much."

Post show, Carcelle confirmed to Fashion Week Daily that he had spoken to Thomas and decided it would not be appropriate for her to attend Sunday's show, but echoed a clearer thought. "We think she [Dana] wrote some things that were just not true; for example, how Vuitton marks up products 13 times what it costs us to produce," he explained. "I called her to express my unhappiness with the book. But if she would like to come to the show next season, she is welcome to." His wife, Rebecca, added, "You don't have the reputation Yves has by speaking to people in a derogatory manner." Wanting to move on from the subject, Carcelle concluded, "She complained to The Washington Post and The New York Post; if we're the McDonald's of luxury, then she is the McDonald's of press!"
JIM SHI