What kind of substance are you looking for?

The shows are the only pure expression of the designers’ ideas of their own clothes. They control the hair, clothes, makeup, music.

That means that they have to have an idea about women, their lives and what’s happening in the world — the problems the designers are solving for them.

What effect is the coronavirus having?

We just got an email from a young new British designer who’s Asian and who produces his clothes in Shanghai. China just closed down his factory, and he can’t get his collection. So he’s not going to be able to have a show this season.

We’re going to be watching if Chinese models can come, if the Chinese clients who usually come do. And then what this means for supply chains and sales. The Chinese consumer is an enormously important part of these brands’ customer bases. And if they’re not moving and they’re not shopping, it’s going to be a real issue.

Do you have a fitness plan before the shows start?

[Laughter]. Oh, no! Beforehand, I try to be “normal” but, once it starts, it all goes out the window. I have a terrible diet and literally zero physical fitness. Honestly, my diet is coffee, soda, champagne, bread, chocolate and occasionally a green juice. Then I think, Good, you’re doing something for yourself.

That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. — Mike

Thank you

To Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.

P.S.

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