Francois-Henri Pinault, the CEO of French luxury firm PPR, was greeted by a throng of cheering supporters in central Paris today, eager to get a chance to show their support for his steady leadership amid difficult economic circumstances for luxury brands.

Gucci bags were thrown to the crowd like loaves of bread to sate their appetite for the fabulous life. The crowd politely dispersed after being informed of Mr Pinault’s desire to make it on time for his private jet that would whisk him away to be with his wife, the actress Salma Hayek.