@diorFashion / NewsFashion / NewsFashion’s biggest houses just donated €300 million to rebuild Notre-DameCasualShareLink copied ✔️April 16, 2019April 16, 2019Text Emma Elizabeth Davidson If you spent any amount of time scrolling through your IG or Twitter feed last night, it’s likely that you’re fully aware of the devastating fire that ravaged through the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. As the blaze took hold of the building in the early hours of the evening, the city’s residents took to the streets nearby to console each other, watching as plumes of smoke rose from the iconic Gothic landmark’s roof and filled the sky. Others shared photographs and memories of Notre-Dame across social media, with the likes of Simon Porte Jacquemus, Helmut Lang, and Riccardo Tisci among them. Now, two of fashion’s biggest businessmen have pledged to donate some pretty huge sums of money to restoring the UNESCO-listed site. But then, it's probably not that surprising that you’d want to lend a helping hand when you've got uber-profitable, mega-brands including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga on your roster. First to support the cause was Kering chief executive François-Henri Pinault – who, along with Gucci and Balenciaga, also owns Saint Laurent – who offered up €100 million to the building’s regeneration. Soon after, and seemingly not wanting to be outdone, LVMH’s Bernard Arnault pledged an even more casual €200 million: “The Arnault family and the LVMH group would like to show their solidarity at this time of national tragedy, and are joining up to help rebuild this extraordinary cathedral, which is a symbol of France, of its heritage, and of French unity,” he explained in a statement. With the fire brought under control in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and many historic artworks and religious artefacts saved by firefighters, it is believed it will be possible to rebuild much of the cathedral. Whether any new iterations of its famous gargoyles will be named after Pinault or Arnault in tribute to their generosity remains to be seen – watch this space. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.TrendingHow do you solve a problem like Michael Jackson?Since the release of the King of Pop’s biographical film Michael, he is back in public consciousness — but celebrating his music means confronting the allegations that have long shadowed his legacyMusicBeauty10 of the hottest Instagram accounts fusing art, sex and eroticaOakley FashionYour favourite Oakley glasses just got a faceliftMusicThe 5 best tracks on Olivia Rodrigo’s new albumArt & PhotographyMystical portraits of Mexico City’s queer youthFilm & TV7 films to watch if you loved Obsession FashionIn pictures: Blood-curdling looks from London’s favourite Vampire BallBeautyNude awakening: Meet the young people embracing naturismFashionKeith Haring invented Raf SimonsEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy