The capital city of France and the most populous city in France, Paris is home to many popular fashion houses and is the birthplace for fashion week. The Paris Fashion Week which officially began in October 1973 with fashion houses such as Givenchy, Dior, Saint-Laurent, Cardin, and others, was put together by Paul Poiret and Charles Frederick Worth who began the use of models for display of the outfits, instead of the use of mannequin. It is one of the ‘ Big 4’ Fashion weeks held in the world with the others being New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week.
The first Paris Fashion Week which was held at Palace of Versailles, saw a show-down between French designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Emmanuel Ungaro, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy, and American designers such as Anne Klein, Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass and Stephen Burrow. The week ended with the American designers in victory over the French designers because of their inclusion of Black-American models. This would be the first time the black race walked down a French fashion aisle as models.
The Paris Fashion Week hosts 2 Shows in 3 separate categories yearly. The First Show is the Spring/Summer Collection which takes place in January for the Men’s Wear Category and the Haute Couture Category, while the Women’s Wear Category comes up in March with this year 2024 being hosted from 26th February 2024- 5th March 2024. The Autumn/Winter Collection as the Second Show begins in June for the Men’s Wear Category and it is immediately followed up with the Haute Couture Week in July, while the Women’s Wear Collection brings the Paris Fashion Week to a grand finale in September.With celebrity models such as Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell, Bella Hadid and Christine Queen walking the runways for luxury brands such as Christian Dior, Loius Vuitton, Loewe, Celine, Valentino Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, front row tickets for the Paris Fashion Week sell as high as $3,000 – $5,000 per show.
In recent times, it has become the birthplace for debut brands from designers all over the world, such as Vaquera, a New York label, Qatar label, Omni and Row & Cecilie Bahnson. For a Fashion House to participate at The Paris Fashion Week, it must first meet the criteria of the production of 35 looks per year, including day and night looks, have atleast 20persons in it’s staff listing and every design must include fitting. These criteria were set up by the Federation Francais de la Couture, responsible for monitoring and coordinating the activities of the Paris Fashion Week. The Paris Fashion Week is marked by two limitations. Models below the age of 18years are prohibited from walking the Parisian runways at the fashion week. In other to prevent the promotion of eating disorders due to unattainable body size standards set up by individuals, models with body mass index size zero are also prohibited from walking these runways.With a physical attendance of over 5,000 accredited attendees, the Paris Fashion Week stands as the second biggest fashion week in the world, after the New York Fashion Week. The Paris Fashion Week brings the bustle, bubble & colour of Paris to its peak during it’s season, inviting investors, tourists and fashion enthusiasts to indulge in the beauty that is Paris, hence making Paris a place to be during fashion seasons.
For Paris Fashion Week 2024, it’s a dynamic showcase of creativity, innovation, and cultural resonance. Throughout the event, several overarching themes emerged, reflecting the evolving landscape of the fashion industry.
Sustainability took center stage, with designers prioritizing eco-friendly materials, ethical production processes, and waste reduction initiatives. From biodegradable fabrics to upcycled garments, sustainability was not merely a trend but a core value embraced by many fashion houses.
The digital transformation of fashion was evident in virtual showcases, augmented reality experiences, and interactive presentations. Technology allowed designers to reach a global audience in unprecedented ways, blurring the boundaries between physical and digital fashion experiences.
Diversity and inclusivity were celebrated on the runways, with designers casting models of various ages, sizes, ethnicities, and gender identities. This commitment to diversity reflected a broader shift towards greater representation and inclusivity within the fashion industry.
Artistic collaborations enriched the fashion landscape, as designers partnered with visual artists, musicians, and performers to create immersive and multidimensional runway experiences. These collaborations highlighted the intersection of fashion, art, and culture, pushing boundaries and sparking creative dialogue.
Retro aesthetics were reimagined with a modern twist, as designers drew inspiration from past eras while infusing their collections with contemporary sensibilities. Vintage silhouettes, bold prints, and nostalgic references permeated the runway, offering a fresh reinterpretation of classic styles.
Paris Fashion Week 2024 served as a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and creativity of the fashion industry. From sustainable practices and digital innovation to diversity and artistic expression, the event showcased the multifaceted nature of contemporary fashion.
