FRANCOBRITISH CHAMBER - FASHION BRIEF BY J MOUCLIER

On a hot summer day, during the week of Haute Couture presentations, Jean-Louis Scherrer called me and asked to see me urgently. He arrived in my office decomposed and explained that he had a tax audit by a woman, particularly picky. I advised him to speak to the President at the time, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, with whom he had very good relations.

He said it bothered him a lot and he didn't want to mix friendship and business. He therefore asked me to intervene directly with the office of the President of the Republic.

I knew Polge de Combret, Secretary General of the Élysée, who received us in his office. I quickly explained the situation to him and this very senior official scrupulously noted the facts that we related to him. So he took off his glasses, got up, tapped Jean-Louis Scherrer familiarly on the shoulder, saying to him: "So, old man, it's better."

I understood then that the interview was closed and that he was ready to intervene. I thanked him, and took Jean-Louis Scherrer with me towards the exit. On the stairs, Jean-Louis told me of his concern. He had not, in fact, understood that the file was going to be closed. When we arrived at the foot of the Elysée, he rushed to the newsstand in front of Pierre Cardin's store and he feverishly consulted his horoscope "UNE SOIREE UNOUBLIABLE".

Jacques Mouclier

Honorary President of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

.