Fashion or FLASHion?

Paris Fashion week is a succession of designer exhibitions, by the highest retailers and designers both signed and freelance. The week traditionally happens annually in Paris (more than once a year) and is hosted by the most recognised faces in fashion. The first ever Paris Fashion week was held in New York in the early 1700’s, where it was recognized but back then, work was only shown to clients and presented on mannequins. Things began to change in the 1800s when Jeanne Paquin became the first to designer to show off her designs in public. In 1945, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Cuture changed the rules. The new rules included that each season, a couture house must present a collection of at least 35 runs with both daytime and evening wear to the Paris press. The first recognised fashion week was held in 1973, which was organised by Haute Couture, Ready-To-Wear and Men’s fashion (all grouped into one showing by the Federation Francaise de la couture). This article will look into the culture and growth of Paris Fashion week as well as celebrate the growth of this organisation. The event was called ‘The battle of Versailles’ because of its location and the tension between the American and Parisian designers throughout the run of the show.

Paris Fashion week is part of the ‘big 4’ fashion weeks, the disparate ones being London, Milan and New York Fashion week. Fashion is something that keeps changing and expanding through time, influencing the mind and ways of society. Fashion tells society; what to wear, how to wear it and what is ‘trending’. The most influenced are teenagers as they look up to the most popular people — mostly the top people in media, in order to decide what type of ‘fashion’ they like. People enjoy copying what they see in the media, especially when a celebrity or public figure does it. A great example of a fashion icon in today’s society includes Kylie Jenner and Rihanna — both who are public figures that inspire todays fashion, especially the youth. Rihanna posted a picture of herself in bantu knots, which weren’t as popular as they are today, until Rihanna did them. Rihanna inspired girls from around the world to go around with this look, simply because she did it first. Celebrities don’t seem to realise the impact they have on the public, especially when it comes to fashion. The internet is the fastest way for fans to connect with their icons in order to see what type of fashion is currently trending.

Paris Fashion week went on from Tuesday the 28th of February to Wednesday the 8th of March and it was top of the news, throughout the week. With Kendall Jenner being one of the top models on the runway, celebrities also came to Paris in support of the movement. The audience saw faces such as Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks, both who came with a buzz. Nicki Minaj wore a top which only completely covered one side of her breasts as her other breast, hung loosely with a small diamond covering only her nipple. Critics had a lot to say as she stole the attention, with some people feeling offended by her outfit, whereas others said it was ‘fashion’ and believed she looked good. Nicki Minaj had compliments from a journalist who said ‘if I were you, I would be naked’. Nicki is then flooded with comments on her twitter regarding her outfit. Mina isn’t the only one causing a buzz at Paris Fashion week as Azealia Banks came to the fashion week dressed ‘provokingly’ and quite ‘offensively’ with denim shorts that created a ‘thong look’. Azealia was slated by the whole of twitter for her outfit but still didn’t seem to care. Nicki Minaj’s style has been copied already by many teenagers and fans whereas Azealia Banks is still being execrated until this very day.

With fashion being an important aspect of society, it continues to develop through time as new things become ‘on trend’ in accordance to who did it first. Fashion and trends will forever change, just as sometimes it may not; with a lot of current trending things being from previous generations (styles such as snapbacks, crop tops, dungarees etc.). The next Paris Fashion week will recommence on Tuesday the 26th of September and finish on Tuesday the 3rd of October, although full details (venue, models, designers) haven’t been confirmed, the event will definitely take place in Paris — with celebrity appearances expected as normal. Modelling castings are currently taking place around the world (details for modelling opportunities can be found on the fashion week website). Paris fashion week not only offers opportunities for both top and upcoming designers (giving collaboration opportunities) but it also gives a chance for people to connect on a platform that everyone gets along.

Tickets for the event can be purchased from www.fashionweekonline.com