“Fashion is a part of the world and part of history. It’s not a meaningless swirl of meaningless clothes. They (clothes) reflect the times.” Valerie Steele
Paris is the city I return to again and again. It never fails to interest, inform and influence. The next four months will find me ensconced at Hotel Lutetia on the Left Bank. A busy schedule of creating a Paris Package to offer to Purely Personal clients was made more exciting when I received an invitation to attend Paris Fashion Week (March 3 – 11). Some of the many events I will be attending are the runway shows for Dior and Ann Demeulemeester, an exclusive cocktail party hosted by Roger Vivier, a personal visit with the calligraphic artist entrusted with creating the exquisite and highly collectible Fashion Week invitations, a photo shoot with renowned photographer, Ellen von Unwerth and more. It promises to be a special first-time experience and I am excited to share it!
A GLANCE BACK AND INTO THE FASHION FUTURE
Paris was recognized as the center of fashion and style long before there were fashion shows. In the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy women, celebrities and even America’s first First Ladies (see First Ladies blog) looked to Paris for the latest in materials, design, and embellishments (ribbons, buttons, bows and trim). But, it was a transplanted English designer, Charles Frederick Worth, who, in 1903, is credited with creating “haute couture” in Paris. In a revolutionary innovation, he presented his designs on live models rather than as static displays, thus laying the groundwork for the evolution of ever evolving and creative fashion events.
It did not take long for other prominent designers to follow the “House of Worth” ( a name that foreshadowed the financial institutions they would become!) and establish their own “Maisons,” each articulating a particular style and point of view: Chanel with her tweed suits, long pearls and little black dress; Schiaparelli’s collaboration with artists such as Jean Cocteau, creating optical illusions and imagining a shoe as a hat.
However, it was Christian Dior who revolutionized fashion in 1947 with his “New Look.” After the broad shoulders, stiff suits and rather drab colors of the war years, he re-introduced the feminine figure with cinched and belted waists, full, flouncing skirts and soft, feminine colors. Dior’s “New Look” made Paris synonymous with fashion.
By the mid- twentieth century (1950’s – 1970’s) Paris was attracting fashion editors, department and speciality store buyers and fashion followers to be the first to witness the latest trends. The concept of ready-to-wear added new designers — Givenchy, Courreges, Yves Saint Laurent, Puccini and Cardin among them — increasing access to and demand for high fashion.
Paris Fashion Week in the 1980’s and 1990’s ushered in much edgier and wide ranging expression of styles that included grunge, street-style and avant-garde designers, challenging the notion of couture and its refinements. Designers of this era include Jean-Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Prada (Miu Miu) and Tom Ford at Gucci. Looming over all of them was Karl Lagerfeld who headed up Chloe, Chanel and Fendi.
The Digital Age offers even more people the opportunity to participate in and view the events of Paris Fashion Week with live streaming, on-line coverage, bloggers and podcasters all joining in. As it did in its beginning, designers continue to experiment, innovate and create not just clothing but also with their visual presentations. Beyond the clothing, the shows have become spectacular theatrical events. In 2007 Fendi presented its show on the Great Wall of China! Each event adds to the many layers of expression and makes fashion and style a Purely Personal experience.
Stay Tuned!
