A fashion week in Paris is an event that takes basically a week in which designers, brands, or "houses" show the latest collection to their potential customers and media. The four main cities that "dictate" world trends today called the Big Four, and they are New York, London, Milan, and Paris. However, Paris is the only city that presents high fashion collections for now.
Normally the shows are held twice a year, traditionally several months in advance, to allow customers and journalists preview designs for the coming season. There were 6 "weeks" per year in Paris: for high fashion (January and July) for ready-to-wear (March and September) and men's fashion (January and June)
So how was born the "fashion week" tradition in Paris?
The first fashion shows took place in Paris in the 1700s. At that time the fashion houses would show only a few items to their potential customers. Want it the French or not, but it was the English stylist Charles Frederick who is considered by fashion historians to be the first great couturier. He came to live in Paris in 1850 and was the first to use live models to promote his garments to his customers and to sew brand labels on his clothes.
Almost in the same period, Jeanne Paquin (1869-1936) began her career as the first female couturier so famous for her innovative designs. The lady was also the first designer that made her exhibitions public.
Later in 1973 the first modern fashion week in Paris was organized by the French Fashion Federation. It was held in Versailles and was called "Le Grand Divertissement", named after the extravagant parties organized by Louis XIV.
This "Battle of Versailles" saw the five best French designers: Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and Emanuel Ungaro, from the American side: Stephen Burrows, Halston, Anne Klein, and Oscar de la Renta.
The audience of nearly 700 people from the world's social and artistic elite was invited to this great event including Grace Kelly, Liza Minnelli, Josephine Baker.
After the fashion week, they settled in the Tuileries gardens in large tents and from 1994 to 2010 in the carousel of the Louvre. But the president of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture decided that the image of the Louvre was not going well with the avant-garde creators, so today each brand chooses its own place for the event.
So can we go and see the show? The answer would be no.
If only you’re not a renowned actress or journalist, fashion blogger, the client, or celebrity it might be difficult. The thing is that you can’t buy a ticket to a fashion show, you have to be invited.
For the last few years, the locations of the different shows haven’t been disclosed. We find out about “the place” post-factum, through social networks and fashion magazines. However, a lot of designers have their favorite locations, and here’s some of them:
Trocadero: Yves Saint Laurent
Grand Palais: Chanel
Invalides: Celine
Louvre: Louis Vuitton
Longchamp: Hermes
Musee Rodin: Christian Dior
Jardin du Luxembourg: Alexander McQueen
Opera Garnier : Balmain
And finally, how fashion life would go on after the confinement? – the question that troubles the connoisseurs of fashion and not only.
What is already known is that this year the fashion industry was forced to modify its 2020 agenda.
Here is what the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) decided for the following year: Paris Fashion Week will go digital. What does it mean?
The organization is launching “Paris fashion week on line », a 100% online event that will take place from July 9 to 13, 2020 around a dedicated platform. In that way, the “Paris Fashion week showrooms” will be transformed into a virtual podium. The houses will follow one another, respecting the traditional calendar on this digital platform where they will present their collections in a free video format.
The good news is that the answer to the former question if I can go and see it, is now - yes. Moreover, there is no need to go somewhere or make a fight for the tickets. From now on the Grand couturier will come to your house with their latest collections, virtually of course!
Anyway, Paris stays the city of fashion and elegance, with its hidden gems, it is a special charming and sophisticated atmosphere that attracts people from all over the world. So if you feel nostalgia for the “live” experience you can order a personalized tour in Paris dedicated to fashion and its history, visiting and enjoying the remarkable fashion palaces. So don’t hesitate and Vive la Mode!
