Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week is regarded as one of the most prominent events in the fashion industry. The biannual event is categorized as one sector of the “Big Four,” completed by London, New York and Milan Fashion Weeks.
Divided into menswear, haute couture and ready-to-wear, Paris Fashion Week follows a spring and fall schedule, with the dates determined by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode — the French Fashion Federation.
The organization presented the first official Paris Fashion Week in 1973, overseen by New York Fashion Week founder Eleanor Lambert and Versailles curator Gérald Van der Kemp. Doubling as a fundraiser to renovate the Palace of Versailles, the event marked the first time menswear, haute couture and rtw were showcased together in Paris.
The inaugural event served as a turning point for fashion events to come, and included the Battle of Versailles fashion show on Nov. 30, 1973. Dubbed by WWD’s editor John B. Fairchild as the "Battle," the landmark fashion competition saw five American brands — Anne Klein, Bill Blass, Halston, Oscar de la Renta and Stephen Burrows — showcase eight designs against French designers — Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Emanuel Ungaro, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent. Big stars including Josephine Baker, Elizabeth Taylor and Liza Minelli attended — and the American designers emerged victorious.
Over time, Paris Fashion Week has expanded, becoming the more daring of the other fashion weeks, and put the city of Paris on the map as one of the most fashionable in the world. Although Paris Fashion Week doesn't have a designated venue, a landmark location for most Paris Fashion Week shows is the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, which is appreciated for its architectural design.
Renowned moments in Paris Fashion Week history include Thierry Mugler’s 1984 fashion show, the first time a designer opened a runway show to the French paying public; Madonna gracing Jean Paul Gaultier’s 1992 runway show in a topless bra, and the late Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel fall 2014 rtw fashion show, which featured a supermarket-themed runway.
Contributing to the digital age, Paris Fashion Week has also become a spectacle for viral moments on social media. Coperni’s 2022 Paris Fashion Week show concluded with Bella Hadid having her Fabrican dress spray-painted on in real-time, gaining 2.8 million likes on Instagram.
Paris Fashion Week
Sophia Kah RTW Spring 2017
Ana Sophia Teixeira de Sousa is gradually beginning to expand into daywear, and has added cotton and denim…
Matchesfashion.com Celebrates Simone Rocha Capsule in Paris
The six-piece collection is set to debut on Oct. 20.
Mugler Toasts Paris Flagship
The fashion crowd flocked to the brand's new flagship on Saturday at 67 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
Hubert de Givenchy, Linda Pinto Host Lunch in Paris
The retired couturier penned the foreword for a new book dedicated to late interior designer Alberto Pinto.
Brazil’s Iguatemi Marks 50th Anniversary in Paris
Georgina Brandolini hosted a dinner for the Brazilian upscale mall developer and operator.
Freudenthal and Verhagen Release Retrospective Book
"Whole," published on Oct. 1, is a tribute to the two photographers' collaboration and features an…
Alexandre Vauthier RTW Spring 2017
The urban Parisienne-oriented line carried over codes from the designer's couture line.
Cyclas RTW Spring 2017
The modern, romantic collection had a classical elegance.
Le Snob Celebrates First Scent
Guests at the Paris cocktail included Jennifer Tilly, Jonas Åkerlund, Kilian Hennessy and Patti Wilson.
Noir Kei Ninomiya RTW Spring 2017
Kei Ninomiya constructed garments without using traditional stitching techniques.
Pallas RTW Spring 2017
The le smoking specialist played on asymmetry and contrasts.
Drome RTW Spring 2017
The designer worked fabric-like qualities on her leather creations for spring.
Inès de la Fressange Officially Presents During Paris Fashion Week
The sprawling collection ranges from cashmere sweaters to stickers.
Lutz Huelle RTW Spring 2017
This upbeat, club-infused collection played on illusion and control.
Aquazzura Fetes Naty Abascal With Spanish Dinner
A taste of Sevilla was brought to Paris with Edgardo's Osorio fete to celebrate Naty Abascal shoe…