FASHION AROUND THE WORLD: France

So as i have done a lot of artists and their different styles, i have decided to have a permanent topic. I have always found interesting to compare and learn different styles across the whole world, and we're doing it now. So where to start rather then the fashion capital of the world, France!

Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Hermes, Louis Vuitton…all of those famous names that made France the capital of fashion. But how did it all happen? Let's flyyyy-

So it all started with King Louis XIV, he was famous for demanding to have opulent and tacky wigs, best quality textiles and very lovely shoes. For paintings he'd always wear luxury costumes to show off. Next fashion icon of France was no one rather then a women of king Louis XIV's sons woman: Queen Marie Antoinette. Before she was known for going to the guillotine during the French Revolution, she was infamous for her sense of style. French were hating on her cause she always cared more about spending money on trendiest dresses, wigs, shoes than feeding her people. She adored sky-high wigs and putting feathers in her hair, as well as custom made dressed by designer Rose Bertin.

The Incroyables ("incredibles") men, and the Merveilleuses ("marvelous women"), were members of a fashionable aristocratic subculture in Paris during the French Directory. They held hundreds of balls and started fashion trends in clothing and mannerisms that today seem exaggerated. Their style consisted of styles that resembled Greek or Roman tunics, and were made of linen and gauze, and they wore sandals to match. They wore wigs with hair dyed green, clue, purple, and pink, and were generally known to dress as silly as they acted. Many of their gowns displayed cleavage and were too tight to allow pockets. To carry even a handkerchief, the ladies had to use small bags known as reticules.

Haute Couture

Haute Couture got it’s start in the courts of Marie-Antoinette. In the late 19th century, it made a come back, thanks to an Englishman named Charles Frederick Worth, who founded The House of Worth, the first modern couturier house in Paris. It is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish by the most experienced and capable seamstresses, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques.

-Then thanks to all fashion shows The House of Worth has brought all the people started enjoying fashion and learned to appreciate it more.

Coco Chanel and Vogue

The fashion magazine giant Vogue was published in Paris for the first time in 1920, and not far behind, in 1925, designer Coco Chanel debuted her first collection. Chanel’s boyish, simple, and elegant designs were embraced in contrast to the usual designs meant for full-figured women. Now i won't talk about Coco, if you want you can check out Chiara's column 1920's!

When World War II started, that meant a fashion on hold in Paris. Many designers had to close their businesses and shops. Skipping to 1947, where Christian Dior presented his now famous “New Look” designs, it had a collection of dresses with very small waists and full skirts.

In 1950's the French fashion magazine Elle is also published for the first time.

Ready-to-wear fashion

In 1960's ready to wear fashion appeared. It was basically simple elegant fashion for every man, and not just rich people, yet it was fashionable. Designer Yves Saint Laurent from Paris is the one who made this lovely change. The 60's has also the rise of Parisian style icons like Brigitte Bardot, Françoise Hardy, and Jane Birkin. And the hippy movement has it's marks in France too.

(first photo: Brigitte Bardot, second: Françoise Hardy, and last: Jane Birkin)

Paris fashion today

Paris has the most fashion headquarters in the world, and the most of famous designers, whether they are in the past or in the now. In every two years there's a Paris Fashion Week, week long event featuring fashion shows from French and international designers. Paris is home to the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, a street which is known for it’s designer and luxury shopping.

-Now people describe it as nonchalant, elegant, effortless but well combined, well thought through. It's easy to get a nice French look, maybe this helps you:

-tailored black blazer or a trench coat

- well-cut denim

-booties and heels that are both classic and cool

-boyish button downs

-sunglasses

-handbags

-loose shirts

-wide collar sweaters

That is all for today's fashion trip. What's our next stop? See you next week, enjoy!

sara<33