The iconic spire at the top of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was destroyed after the structure caught fire on Monday, prompting public displays of mourning on the streets and all over the world on social media. Crowds spilled over the streets of Paris around the Cathedral the first evening after the fire, praying and singing hymns.
Much like the rest of the world, François-Henri Pinault and the Arnault family behind two of fashion’s biggest luxury conglomerates — the Kering Group and LVMH, respectively — mourned the loss of the magnificent monument. Kering group’s (which owns Gucci, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, and Balenciaga) CEO François-Henri Pinault pledged to help rebuild the cathedral by donating 100 million euros followed by Bernard Arnault, the chairman of LVMH ( Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Celine, Loewe, and Marc Jacobs), who went on to double Pinault’s donation.
Both the fashion conglomerates grieved the loss online, while Kering group took to twitter and said “This tragedy is striking all the French people, and beyond that, all those attached to spiritual values. Faced with this tragedy, everyone wishes to give life back to this jewel of our heritage as soon as possible.”
The LVMH group mourned in a statement posted on Instagram, “The Arnault family and the LVMH Group, in solidarity with this national tragedy, are committed to assist with the reconstruction of this extraordinary cathedral, symbol of France, its heritage and its unity”.
After the generous gestures, many other individuals and groups like Apple & L’Oreal have come forward to help rebuild the historic monument.
Photographs: Getty Images
