Paris Fashion

Paris and fashion have become synonymous with each other. The seriously fashion conscious visit Paris at least once. The designers world over, share one special dream, to be a part of the Paris fashion world .

Paris, indeed, is known as the Mecca of fashion world . The world’s top haute couture designers, from Chanel to Dior to Yves Saint Laurent showcase their talent in an area called the golden triangle. The Champs-Élysees, Avenue Marceau and Avenue Montaigne form the perimeter of this triangle.

But if you are someone, who travel to Paris and want to hunt around for more variety, you should visit Rue du Faubourg St-Honore , where most top designers like Louis Feraud, Pierre Cardin, Versace have their designer boutiques.

There are two yearly haute couture shows , in January and July. All the leading top models gather in Paris for the lavish shows where they command high fees.

If you are planning Paris shopping, you must know one fact. There is a vast difference between what you might be exposed in way of fashion and what is actually wearable. So, those of you who don’t really have that hourglass figure, or that lean tummy, don’t lose heart. Paris fashion offers the most modern clothes for people of all sizes and yes, all budgets!

Paris fashion and no “haute couture”? Impossible. Haute couture (a unique creation ) could be designed by any of the fashion houses listed with Federation Francaise de la Couture. If you are looking for this haute couture exclusive outfits for yourself, then head towards the golden triangle or Rue du Faubourg St-Honore , which boasts of the fashion houses of the world famous designers, Cardin, Yves St. Laurent, Guy Laroche, Nina Ricci, Givenchy, Christian Dior, Louis Feraud, Hermes and Chanel.

If you can afford an exclusive creation from the world’s best, don’t ever give it a miss. Paris fashion offers the best excuse to indulge in yourself and feel like royalty!

Brief info on world’s most trendy designers and labels

Yves Saint Laurent

Tom Ford filled the runway with Safari. He did the research and made his mark! The collection proved to be a finely honed expression of a singular theme. Sultry, relaxed and sensual – his safari began with leopard spots – on peasant blouses, skirts with thin silhouettes. Also featured were bold, tribal patterns and lacy knits. Twill safari jackets were traded in for delicate chiffon jackets and sturdy leather with lace-up seams.

Celine

Michael Kors gives the girls what they want: spare, uncomplicated, chic clothing. The collection has a young feel, quite flirtatious; not at all for the office. Romantic jersey dresses, naughty see-through lace, bold flower prints. Selections were featured in bright blue, olive, brown and white. Minis and short-shorts in leather were also delightful.

Chloe

Seeking a hip, young crowd, the tiny embroidered bikini, scalloped-edged white pantsuit and a flurry of cut out white blouses were hot on the runway. A peek-a-boo theme was consistent in the collection from cut-aways around the hips of trousers to snippets from the hem of a mini dress. The collection also featured lacy pieces edged in gold, tight knits in bold colored stripes, pirate, poet and gypsy type blouses, low riding jodhpurs, buckled knee breeches, baggy shorts, and skintight satin trousers.

Emanuel Ungaro

While the clothing displayed a certain restraint, the collection eased into provoking natural linens, soft pantsuits in black chiffon and jersey, dresses with graceful elegance. This season’s fashion staple: pretty, floaty tops. True to the Ungaro name, the collection also featured bold floral print harem style pants, and dresses with string, glass beading, cords and tassels.

Givenchy

To woo the daring and chic Givenchy customer, the collection featured dramatic layered chiffon accented with yards and yards of twine, string and cord, defining the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2002 look. Cording was also used to detail a stiff white riding coat and cropped jacket paired with flirty chiffon skirts. A wrapped cord neckline on a sheer chiffon tunic gently slid off the shoulder, and even the super sexy tank dress sported twisted coiled straps.

Cerruti

While the line took a break from its usual tailored look and featured a more relaxed line this season – chiffon, puffed sleeved peasant tops, knits in baby doll style and belled sleeves. Trousers were striped or washed jacquards. Even the boyish blazers in sueded linen maintained the tenderness of the collection.

Yohji Yamamoto

The great combination of athleticism and art was evidence of the Adidas influence. The Spring/Summer line was not as dramatic as in past seasons, but the clothing was a hit – gentler, with languid lines, full pants, tunics and leggings. Yohji Yamamoto’s winning combinations paired interestingly: his signature draped tops coupled with boxing shorts; jogging pants with short, vibrant, satin basketball jackets. The show would not have been complete without the chic, black dresses and inventive jackets he’s known for.

Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs delivered a witty retro trip in the Spring/Summer collection. Coats in lavishly appliquéd gold lame; bright white leather with a spread of floral embroidery – the Spring/Summer line is for the sweet, artsy type. Giant jewels around the neckline of a printed silk top, scalloped-edged silver python skirts, pastel python-trimmed suede suits and jackets with puffed sleeves are sure to bring out the inner flower child in us all. Sure to be as hot as the graffiti bags of last spring, are the collage pictorials found on this Spring/Summer collection of handbags.

A selection of designer shops of Paris Fashion:

Cacharel
5 Place des Victoires,  2nd arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 42 33 29 88

Chanel
42 Avenue Montaigne, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 47 23 74 12

Chloe
54 Rue du Faubourg St. Honore, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 44 94 33 00

Christian Dior
30 Avenue Montaigne, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 40 73 54 44

Christian La Croix
73 Rue du Faubourg St. Honore, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 422 68 79 00

Claude Montana
131 Rue St. Denis,  1st arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 44 76 87 00

Emanuel Ungaro
2 Avenue Montaigne, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 53 57 00 00

Emporio Armani
149 Boulevard Saint Germain,  6th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 53 63 33 50

Givenchy
3 Avenue George V, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 44 31 50 23

Gucci
2 Rue du Faubourg St. Honore, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 53 05 11 11

Guy Laroche
22 Rue de la Tremoille, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 40 69 68 00

Hermes
24 Rue du Faubourg St. Honore, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 40 17 47 17

Jean Paul Gautier
30 Rue du Faubourg St. Antoine, 12th arrondissement
Phone : +33 (1) 44 68 85 00

Kenzo
3 Place des Victories, 1st arrondissement
Phone : +33 (1) 40 39 72 00

Louis Vuitton
54 Avenue Montaigne, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 45 62 47 00

Thierry Mugler
10 Rue Boissy d’Anglas, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 47 23 37 62

Valentino
17-19 Avenue Montaigne, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 47 23 64 61

Versace
62 Rue du Faubourg St. Honore, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 47 42 88 02

Yves St. Laurent
38 Rue du Faubourg St. Honore, 8th arrondissement.
Phone : +33 (1) 42 65 74 59

What’s hot
Looks: the LWT (Little White Dress); bra-dresses; shorts; swimwear; baggy track suits; layers of vest, Ts, tunics; skirts over trousers; tutus and ballerina skirts; scarf necklines; lingerie/corsetry, bed-jackets, peignoir robes; blousons; The Grand Ballgown.

Details: halter necks, knotted straps, backless dresses, off-the-shoulder, cut-outs; rise-and-fall hems; draping, ruching, flounces, tiers and ruffles; tassels.

Colors: iridescence, silver, beige, flesh, taupe, lilac, orange, shell to shocking pink, all the greens from eau de nil to ivy; stripes; spots; rose, orchid and camellia prints.

Accessories: braces, pearls, pharoah sandals, chokers, gadget bags, silver headphones, the Herm beret, corsages, glitter arm/leg bands, cuffed sandals, ankle boots, tweed espadrilles, crystals, tattoos, straw boaters, dragonfly and butterfly jewellery, coloured cowboy boots; suspenders.

Fabrics: anything sheer/transparent; tulle, lace, leather, denim, metallic, broderie anglaise, acetates; georgette, chiffon; voile and muslin; rose, orchid and camellia prints; ostrich feathers.