Paris is special to me because it's the birthplace of
couture and fashion in general. The fashion that comes from Paris, especially
haute couture, legitimizes all fashion everywhere else. If it weren't for high
fashion there would be no benchmark in which to measure fashion in other cities
and at other price points. Paris is important because of its history and
traditions, its simplicity, and its commitment to the art and craftsmanship of
design.
“Paris
is paramount for fashion,always was – always will be.” – Manolo Blahnik
In Paris, fashion comes down to design simple as that.
No gimmicks, minimal discounts, Parisian designers and their customers are
interested in how well the product is made, and how good it makes you feel when
wearing it. The intimacy that Paris has with the fashion industry resonates in
the clothes and in the perception of the fashion brands that are the pillars of
French fashion; Chanel, Dior, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, YSL, etc. When you walk into
these brands’ stores the product is very well edited, the staff is incredibly
knowledgeable, and the experience is leisurely. The highest levels of fashion, which
is the Haute Couture designers, design their clothes in order to tell a story,
and that story is usually one of fantasy, travel, and beauty. The idea is that the
story of your ambitions, desires, beliefs, and personality can be told through
your clothes every day and the higher you go in the fashion chain the more
detailed the reflection is, and the fashion world of Paris gets that.
History and Traditions
Haute Couture is a level
of fashion that the Parisian designers hold dear and the level of artisanship
and history that is involved in every couture garment is what makes it special
and unique. Paris stands out because when the rest of the industry is looking
for ways to cheapen their brands and create value items at low prices many of
the top designers in Paris are looking for ways to become more exclusive and
luxurious. Designers such as Viktor and Rolf and Jean Paul Gaultier have discontinued
their ready to wear collections specifically in order to not lose sight of the
heart of their business, which is couture.
“A walk about Paris will
provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.”- Thomas
Jefferson
Simplicity
Designers in Paris keep
their collections very simple and easy to understand. Meaning when I see a show
there is a clear, cohesive message and it’s easy to understand the art of the
clothes as well as the functionality. When I think of Chanel, Lanvin, Dior,
etc. even when they do elaborate shows the clothes are the focus and it’s easy
to see what the brand stands for. When looking at garments from Parisian
designers it's a different feel because every piece will be a statement or
investment piece for the consumer. The clothes are designed to have a long
lifespan with the consumer, which is why the designs are simple yet detailed in
their construction.
“ I don't do fashion, I
am fashion.” – Coco Chanel
Art and
Craftsmanship
In
Paris, fashion as a trade is engrained in he city's history. The people who
founded the fashion companies we know today were milliner, seamstresses, tailors
and leather craftsman their talent comes from their ability to actually
construct the garment not just present ideas. The result of the garments
created because of the designer’s background is much more detailed and has
consumer functionality in mind. In every industry there needs to be a balance
of ideas and execution and Paris provides authenticity, craftsmanship, and a
history of fashion that allows for the execution of grand ideas while keeping
the integrity of the designs.
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