I went to my first Paris Fashion Week and it was everything I imagined and more. I’ll spare you the sentimentality of it all, but I have to thank you guys so much. I would never get invited to any of these cool things and live out my dreams if it wasn’t for your support.
To start, incase you aren’t entirely aware of how the whole fashion week(s) circuit works, this is how it goes: men’s wear fashion weeks are organized twice a year in major fashion capitals (Paris, Milan etc). In January, designers show their upcoming fall collection and in June, they show their upcoming spring collections. Obviously, Paris is one of the biggest weeks because it is home to so many fashion houses.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. How does a small content creator with less than 100,000 followers even get to go to such a seemingly star studded occasion?! Well, there are a few different versions of Paris Fashion Week. There’s the PFW in which major designers (Dior, Acne Studios etc…) put on ready-to-wear runway shows where attendance is by invitation only - for celebrities, major press outlets and big buyers. There is the PFW in which you rage your ass off at guest listed parties - again, by invitation only. And then there is a version of PFW that is far more approachable. Some smaller, but still on the calendar designers, put on shows/presentations that are, still, by invitation only but mostly for smaller press people and little content creators like me.
ANYWAYS, lets get to the good shit. Here's my break down of the week; the shows I saw, the street style observations I made, the major shows I didn’t attend but loved, and style nuances from the runways that I can’t stop thinking about.
+ 3 of my favorite men’s wear shops in Paris, just because I thought I should share.
Shows I Saw And Loved
Lagos Space Programme
LSP is all about celebrating alternative African narratives and this collection does just that and more. I loved the small details found on the jackets as well as the unique tailoring of the shirts. My favorite look was the all black assemble with the giant fringe scarf. It’s giving Timothee Chalamet on the Bob Dylan press tour, but more… elevated.
Sankuanz
Just wow. The geometric suits and sling jackets, stunning. The pops of color within the pants and pointed toe Western boots, brilliant. Asian garment styles mixed with street oriented silhouettes, I loved it. Each look felt inspired and powerful.
Shows I Didn’t See But Loved
& the trends to take away from them
Maison Mihrar Yasuhiro
A beautiful, thought provoking display of paradoxical design and unconventional tailoring. I was stunned. From the unfinished edges to the pant inspired sleeves, this collection kind of rejected the notion of newness and instead emphasized the strength of timeless-ness and the “worn-in” aesthetic.
Trend takeaways: You can do no wrong when it comes to layering. I am loving the “fuck it” look. Throw a zip up hoodie over your button down and tie AND THEN put a blazer on top of that. Throw a plaid shirt over your shoulder while also wearing a plaid shirt. I call this “just get out of the house” core.
Lemarie
No one does effortlessly wearable quite like Lemarie and this season was no different. Simple, elegant, sophisticated and functional. You can’t fault them for sticking to their ethos. I adore how their tailoring flows with shapely coats and relaxed trousers.
Trend takeaways: Purple is the new burgundy.
Dior
There was a sense of depth in this collection that I haven’t seen in a long time from Dior. I loved the interaction of fluid and structured pieces, the mix of satin and leather looks and the contrast of the pink and black. Nothing was too ornamented or overly complicated, instead the detail was in the beauty of the fabrics themselves.
Trend takeaways: Creative necklines (wide enough to show off the collar bone, square etc…) will be in soon. Trousers will continue to be wide and relaxed. Jackets will be collarless.
Styling Nuances I Can’t Stop Thinking About
& what you could be implanting into your current winter looks.
A leather jacket (or bomber jacket) over a suit, so sick. Additionally, would also like to note the sleeve stacking at the wrist for some added dimension.
A scarf over a beanie, secured with a belt on the coat. It’s like a modern babushka.
Popping one side of the collar out of a turtleneck while folding up one cuff. The asymmetry makes the look more interesting.
Street Style Notes
The fashion “it” boys were out and about for PFW. To be frank though, everyone in Paris is always dressed so cool. I honestly couldn’t tell who was participating in fashion week and who was just living their normal lives. Every street I turned onto, there were men dressed to the nines. I was massively impressed. Here are the notes I took:
interesting headwear from berets to trapper hats
black is the new black
zip up hoodies
argyle socks
three piece suits with sweaters under the vest instead of button downs
less sambas. no particularly dominate sneaker, however mostly low profile
cowhide derbies and boots
Where I Shopped
My husband deserves a medal for putting up with me during this fashion week. Influencer’s husband honestly don’t get enough credit. So naturally, I decided to take him shopping as a thank you and here’s where we went.
Octobre Edition (28 Rue Des Blancs Manteaux) - For elevated essentials. The first store my husband and I always go to when we are in Paris is Octobre Edition. Can you order Octobre Edition online? Yes. But the shopping experience at the physical store is so worth your time. We normally go to the flagship location in the 2nd, but this time we decided to check out the newest store in the heart of Marais and it was STUNNING.
One Block Down (96 Rue Beaubourg) - A multi brand store for “nostalgic” streetwear. They carry everything from Arc’teryx to Our Legacy. Additionally, they have a very cool lifestyle section of magazines and books that I loved.
Jinji (22 Rue des Canettes) - Another multi-brand collective with a focus on workwear. Love their collection of Beams Plus and Orslow.
As always, thank you for being here and supporting me in this way xo