The French Economy is leading the Eurozone, with Spain looking on in awe. Privatization is a big part of the economy but the government still controls most of the businesses with a very firm grip.  The fashion industry, although it is the trend setter and sets the bar for excellence in this globalized market place, is seeing consumers pull back on spending.  French Fashion is high end with many dresses and suits costing as much as $10,000 and up, this leaves a huge number of consumers who can not and are not spending their money on fashion.  In France, the average worker earns about$30,000 and unemployment is very high 20.8 percent.  Haute Couture is keeping up to about 35,000 people employed in France, but now that the British, Italians and Americans are producing designer quality for less money, to every one, every where; fashions impact on the economy has fallen off dramatically.  Weapons, wine, and nuclear power are the biggest contributors to the French economy today.