Paris often holds the title of being the epicenter of fashion. During the 20th century, Paris earned the reputation as the world’s fashion capital thanks to figures like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent. Built on a legacy of grace and innovation, leading fashion houses solidify their status with historical prestige, economic impact, and cultural influence. Paris Fashion Week is a series of designers’ presentations that is held semi-annually during spring/summer and autumn/winter seasons. The dates of these events are decided by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (Federation of Haute Couture and Fashion), which is the administration for the French fashion industry. Events take place within the city as well as in historically significant places such as the Carrousel du Louvre and Grand Palais. Alongside the other “Big Four” fashion weeks— New York, Milan, and London— Paris remains a highlight of the fashion center. Famous brands like Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Saint Laurent showcase ready-to-wear in a little over 100 collections, with exact numbers varying between seasons.
The clothing itself is only the surface of fashion; it goes beyond that.
As stated in Le Derby Alma, “Paris Fashion Week also plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting French culture.”
French designers flaunt and commemorate the heritage of haute couture, contributing to France’s burgeoning reputation as the global capital of fashion and style. Latest designers attain exposure, displaying their artistic visions, allowing them to display their artistic visions and find new opportunities in this diverse industry. Paris Fashion Week is the embodiment of innovation and the creative mind; it is the expression of art that is celebrated globally.
“I do think that fashion is important, especially because it affects perceptions of different people,” said Leni Rosenberg, a Calabasas High School junior.
Directly ties into the essence of Paris Fashion Week, as each collection showcases identity, beauty, and style, but also designers using runways to shape those global perceptions.
“I think it’s a way to express yourself and also feel confident in yourself,” expressed Kristen Furino, CHS dance teacher.
Clothes can fundamentally change people’s mindset; for many, being able to find the right style can support finding one’s authentic self. Fashion is a canvas for expressing uniqueness through many different colors, shapes, and aesthetics. It can reflect your values and beliefs that signal your interests or causes that you support.
According to the Slow Fashion Movement, “a piece of clothing is a form of self-expression, or if it is a reflection of our current mood, a desire to impress someone, or the anticipation of an upcoming event.”
Fashion also functions as a communication tool, projecting an image to employers or individuals, varying from professional to casual. Clothing is a way to signal professionalism in specific environments and enable good first impressions in those settings. Furthermore, it’s a way to signal rank and status, with determined colors being associated with different roles, and distinct brands can be representative of wealth.
Paris Fashion Week is a great depiction of all these characteristics of fashion, as no one design is similar, each being one in its own. Diverse aesthetics are showcased through concept runway shows and the blending of textures and fabrics. PFW can also incorporate deeper meanings through statements on clothing to address social issues and plant-based alternatives to animal products.
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street—fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” — Coco Chanel.
