This Paris Fashion Week Executive Can Sing, Too

Pascal Morand, widely recognized as the executive president of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, recently demonstrated an unexpected facet of his artistic expression by performing live at a celebrated Paris jazz venue. This event, held at New Morning—a club famed for its jazz and blues heritage—offered a rare glimpse into Morand’s longstanding involvement with music alongside his prominent role in the fashion industry.

Morand’s musical pursuits date back to the 1980s when he was the keyboardist for a New Wave band known as King Lear. Despite his demanding career in fashion administration and academia, he has maintained a consistent engagement with music, often revisiting performance and composition over the years. The recent appearance at New Morning marked a significant return to the stage, where Morand took on dual roles as a vocalist and keyboard player.

The atmosphere of the evening was enriched by a diverse ensemble that included a string quartet, a harpist, and a bass guitar player, complementing Morand’s baritone voice and lending a distinctive flavor to the repertoire. The music, described by Morand as contemporary French songs with bossa nova influences, resonated well with the audience, who responded enthusiastically to the performances.

The timing of this concert was particularly notable, situated between the city’s men’s fashion week and Couture Week. It served as a moment of respite and camaraderie for Morand and several other prominent figures from the fashion sector, including executives from LVMH, designers such as Rick Owens and Ami, and representatives from cultural institutions like the Palais Galliera.

Beyond live performance, Morand has recently resumed songwriting with renewed dedication, composing on the piano and collaborating with a close-knit group of friends. This creative resurgence culminated in the release of a five-track EP that accompanies his recent public performances, though further details about the EP’s content and distribution remain limited.

Morand’s academic credentials provide a robust backdrop to his dual career. With a doctoral degree in economics from the University of Rouen, he has held influential positions including director general of the Institut Français de la Mode and dean of the ESCP Europe business school. His leadership of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode since 2015 underscores his significant impact on the global fashion landscape.

Despite his demanding professional responsibilities, Morand has never fully abandoned his musical interests, having performed sporadically in concerts and festivals around the turn of the millennium and again in 2011. This recent re-engagement with music marks a meaningful integration of his artistic and executive identities.

The convergence of fashion and music in Morand’s career highlights a broader cultural dialogue within Paris’s creative industries. His ability to navigate and contribute to both fields illustrates the multifaceted nature of contemporary artistic leadership. While details about his future musical projects are still emerging, this event at New Morning underscores Morand’s commitment to pursuing his musical passion alongside his influential role in fashion.