Paris – Fashion Capital of the World – Fashion Week, Famous Boutiques, History of French Fashion

The BEST Guide to Paris Fashion in 2019 presents all aspects of fashion, haute couture events and fashion shopping in Paris.

1. Introduction to Paris Fashion
2. Paris Fashion Week calendar for 2019 – how to attend it as a guest
3. Other fashion events in Paris – for free
4. The most famous fashion stores in Paris, best luxury shopping malls
5. History of fashion in Paris explaining how it has become world’s fashion capital.

1. Introduction to Paris Fashion

Paris is the renowned and undisputed Fashion Capital of the World, considered the most elegant and sophisticated among the “Big Four” capitals of fashion: Paris, Milan, London and New York. Paris sets trends and influences international fashion scene, dictating new styles and setting direction for others to follow.

The luxury products market in France is worth €16.8 billion. This makes France the leader in sales of luxury products. France is also the most visited country in the world, and a big part of its tourism is actually shopping tourism – concentrated in Paris.

The beauty of the city, its global relevance, the glamour and its long history have turned Paris into the international centre of fashion since the 17th century (below we explain how and why it happened).

2. How has Paris Become the Fashion Capital?

Paris began to be considered as “the city of fashion” in the seventeenth century, when King Louis XIV, famous for his lavish and opulent taste, summoned the most famous designers of that time to design his royal clothes. His royal court become the icon of style, which started to be appreciated and copied internationally. Since then, it has never stopped: throughout the centuries Paris has been the point of reference for new fashion styles, designes, breaktroughs.

Haute couture

Haute couture means the high fashion, which is not directed to the general public, but is custom-fitted for a specific person. Surprisingly though, it’s an English, not French invention! It was first introduced in the nineteenth century by the British Charles Frederick Worth, who, however, opened his fashion house in Paris. Why there? Because Paris was already seen as the avant-garde city of fashion and design. Haute couture introduced the customisation of fabrics, colours and details of design according to the customer’s requests.

Prêt-à-porter

Prêt-à-porter, on the other hand, is a term introduced in the 1960s and means “ready-to-wear”, non-customised, mass production garments.

3. Paris Fashion Week 2019 – How to Attend as a Guest

Nowadays, the most prestigious fashion brands in the world and the most renowned fashion designers choose Paris as the stage to present their latest collections and announce the trends that will come for the next season.  Hence, throughout the year many fashion events and haute couture shows are held in the city. Did you know that in some cases, you can attend them as a visitor? 

Fashion Week is the world’s biggest fashion event, bringing together over 100 fashion designers and fashion labels.

If the idea of seeing the world-famous haute couture show in Paris sounds exciting, below is the updated information for you.

Paris Fashion Week 2019 

• Women Paris Fashion Week from February 25th to March 5th, 2019
• Men Paris Fashion Week from June 18th to June 23th, 2019
• Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week from June 30th to July 4th, 2019
• Women Paris Fashion Week from September 23rd to October 1st, 2019

You will find the open-to-the-public events here.

A curiosity: contrary to common belief, the Fashion Week originated in New York City, not Paris.

4. Other Fashion Shows in Paris

Seeing a real runway show in Paris can be very exciting, and Paris Fashion Week is not the only occasion for that. If you can’t get there or you want to visit Paris in another time, don’t worry! Throughout the year, Galeries Lafayette organize their own runway shows, displaying new seasonal collections debuting in their exclusive stores – and the great news is that they are free to attend!

5. Shopping in Paris

To buy a luxury dress or suit designed by the world’s most prestigious brands like Christian Dior or Chanel in Paris is possible, but just as you imagine it, you need to be almost a millionaire ;) According to the statistics, out of all the women of the world, only 2 thousand are at the economic level of buying haute couture clothes in Paris.

But fortunately, to enjoy “the Fashion Capital” you don’t need to be so wealthy, because even with much less money, you can visit the commercial centres of the city and get inspired in the most famous fashion stores in Paris.

6. Galleries and Fashion Shops in Paris

1. Galeries Lafayette – the classic of the classics

The Galeries Lafayette, covered by their impressive, elegant glass dome, have numerous luxury clothing stores for men and women. Even if you do not buy anything, visiting these three buildings – for those who love fashion and new trends – is something truly spectacular and we could even say “unmissable” in the walk through Paris.

Address: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France

2. Printemps – stylish and sophisticated

Another prestigious fashion shopping destination is Printemps. Is is a chain of “grands magasins” – or in other words – luxury shopping malls, boasting over 150 years of history (since 1865). Its store include world’s best brands of fashion for women and men, accessories and beauty products. They have two main stores in Paris: Haussmann store and Louvre store.

Address: 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France,
Carrousel du Louvre, 99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

3. Le Bon Marché – one os the most visited

Le Bon Marché is one of the most visited shops in the city, as the latest trends of each season are presented here. Fans of shopping and fashion cannot miss this store. Moreover, in its passage, you can also enjoy the artistic works that decorate it.

Address: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France

4. Réciproque – luxury fashion at outlet prices

Réciproque is the most recommended and largest “dépôt-vente” store in Paris, consisting of six boutiques. “Dépôt-vente” means an outlet to which high-class Parisian ladies sell their luxury clothes of last season, which they used once or even never. It gives a chance to all non-wealthy women – and men – to buy a luxury and spectacular pieces of garment paying several times less than they cost originally.

Address: 95 Rue de la Pompe, 75116 Paris, France

5. Merci – the most trendy concept store

For something different, you may try Merci. This alternative concept store offers a mix of brand new and vintage items. Here, you will find not only fashion, but a variety of accessories, design, decor, books etc. Some call its style “bobo” (bourgeois-bohème), a 21st-century trend. The choice is huge and you can get inspired by this very Parisienne style.

Address: 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, France

6. Champs-Élysées – unmissable symbol of chic

One of the world’s most famous streets, large Avenue des Champs-Élysées is filled with luxury boutiques, concept stores, and flagship stores of the most prestigious brands. It’s definitely a must-see in Paris!

Address: Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France

7. How has Paris Become the Fashion Capital?

Paris began to be considered as “the city of fashion” in the seventeenth century, when King Louis XIV, famous for his lavish and opulent taste, summoned the most famous designers of that time to design his royal clothes. His royal court become the icon of style, which started to be appreciated and copied internationally. Since then, it has never stopped: throughout the centuries Paris has been the point of reference for new fashion styles, designes, breaktroughs.

Haute couture

Haute couture means the high fashion, which is not directed to the general public, but is custom-fitted for a specific person. Surprisingly though, it’s an English, not French invention! It was first introduced in the nineteenth century by the British Charles Frederick Worth, who, however, opened his fashion house in Paris. Why there? Because Paris was already seen as the avant-garde city of fashion and design. Haute couture introduced the customisation of fabrics, colours and details of design according to the customer’s requests.

Prêt-à-porter

Prêt-à-porter, on the other hand, is a term introduced in the 1960s and means “ready-to-wear”, non-customised, mass production garments.

Gradually, fashion in Paris became more and more sophisticated and has grown into one of the France’s main industries. Two of the most influential fashion designers ever were Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. 

Apart from them, the main French fashion labels include the world’s very best, Louis Vuitton, Lacroix, Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Givenchy and Hermes.

More on Paris Fashion

Do you have questions or suggestions? Do you know some other great fashion boutiques and stores worth a recommendation? Write a comment!