WWD Series: Laurent Coulier

Menswear officer and buying director, Galeries Lafayette

-What are you most excited about this season?

We have suffered a lot these past few seasons staying confined and unable to go and meet designers and see their collections. 

I was very happy to see a few fashion shows during this Men’s Fashion week in Paris, like Isabel Marant and Dior. Here’s to hoping there will be more next season! We were also able to meet new designers in showrooms and see collections in person again. It does so much good!

-What trends do you expect to take off?

We clearly see that the lockdowns across the world have gotten clients interested in nature as well as travel and escapism. The outdoor trend will continue to evolve, I think. 

The other trend is a return to parties, which is seen in the festive and shimmery nightclubbing style of silhouettes, as well as joyful and optimistic colors. 

-How have you changed the way you select brands?

over these past months, we have evolved in our work methods and selected brands and products through digital means. What remains very important for us is to introduce new brands and inspire our clients with brands that have an ecological or socially responsible approach at the heart of their offer. Through our ‘Go For Good’ approach, we continue to emphasize brands and products that fit with thes criteria.  We also like very much to select brands that mix styles to offer a new silhouettes that mix tailoring and streetwear, for example. It is important to show these new silhouettes and brands to our clients.

-How have your shoppers’ priorities shifted?

Our clients are clearly looking for comfortable, versatile and more casual products, so we are adapting our offer by proposing labels that have a real creative and environmental approach.