FRANCE: Coals To Newcastle

Paris still wears its crown as queen of fashion, though in recent years others have tried to knock it off. But no one ever challenged Parisian dressmakers' sovereignty over Parisians themselves—until last week. At the Printemps department store, a sort of French Macy's, Parisian women who used to snigger at British "tow sack" styles were causing a mild riot, buying English dresses almost as fast as they could be shipped in, despite a 52% French duty. The wool dresses were ordinary, low-priced utility numbers that could be bought off the peg in modest...

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