Paris Fashion Week 2020
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THE HISTORY OF PARIS FASHION WEEK
Paris Fashion Week is an event that unfurls in the French capital biannually.
It consists of parties, runway shows, and presentations and has been a mainstay of the fashion world since 1973.
Paris Fashion Week is a part of the “big 4” events in the fashion world; the others being Milan Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week.
The event comprises of a men’s show, ready to wear show and the haute couture show. Big names such as Chanel, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton and of course Dior all take part, presenting designs at locations like the Grand Palais.
JANUARY 20TH-23RD HAUTE COUTURE
THE HISTORY
Although the first recognized Paris Fashion Week occurred in 1973 – there have been fashion week events organized in Paris dating back to the eighteenth century.
To understand a little better the history, let’s take a look at its origins;
CHAMBRE SYNDICALE DE LA HAUTE COUTURE
This was opened in 1868 and designed to enforce the criteria of all couture houses. It was decreed that by definition a garment of haute couture must be tailor-made and sewn by hand by skilled seamstresses. And of course, high-class materials and goods were to be used.
L’ASSOCIATION DE PROTECTION DES INDUSTRIES ARTISTIQUES SAISONNIERES
1921 saw the opening of L’association de Protection des Industries Artistiques Saisonnieres. This was intended to stop designers’ couture creations from being plagiarized.
PARIS FASHION WEEK – THE FIRST TIME
In 1945 the Chambre Syndicale set out another set of regulations for the Haute Couture houses. To comply, houses had to have a show of 35 runs and include both evening and daywear. Additionally, the staff must number at least 20 and garments were made to measure by the client.
THE SCHEDULE
MON 20TH JAN
Monday’s events include shows by Dior, Ralph and Russo, Azzoro Couture and Iris Van Herpen.
TUES 21ST JAN
Tuesday features Chanel, Stephane Rolland, Julien Fournie, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, and Alexandre Vauthier.
WEDS 22 JAN
The day’s line up includes Valentino, Viktor & Rolf, Elie Saab, Maison Margiela, and Jean-Paul Gaultier, amongst others.
THURS 23 JAN
The shows on Thursday are Aganovich, Christophe Josse, Rahul Mishra, Aelis and Xuan.
THE SPOTLIGHT: IRIS VAN HERPEN
The Dutch designer was one of the first up in the line-up this week. She is known for being one of the most modern designers in fashion.
This collection is named “Sensory Seas” which intwines images of sea creatures and their tentacles with illustrations of the Santiago Ramon y Caial; a neuroscientist whose work Van Herpen admires; the show began with a black dress resembling maps of neural pathways.
Displaying an ethereal quality, her creations inspire the imagination and combine the magic of winged creatures with currents and marine themes.
In addition to these, the show also incorporated a more traditional slant. There were pieces of chiffon and embroidery and a laser-cut kimono.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Paris Fashion Week is short-lived, but its impact is long-lasting. It remains to be seen the influence it has over upcoming designs into 2020 and beyond!
