Paris Fashion Week Day 1...

My first show of the day wasn't very noteworthy; Anthony Vaccarello at the Palais Royal. I had to stand for it, but so did most of the other people so all I could see were the models heads. One head in particular in the crowd though, that of Diane Pernet from ASVOF, stood out from the rest. If one thing is nice about Fashion Week it is that I get to see all my personal celebrities like her up close.

Final walkthrough at Amaya Arzuaga.

The view from my seat. 

 I got a second row seat which I thought was pretty nifty. Also there was Jean-Paul Paula (of Mykromag), and Yohji Yamamoto (who needs no introduction). The show had some really amazing shapes which reminded me of the setting of the show, in the Mineralogy Museum. Sharp geometric volumes of silk played off the crystals all around very nicely. The heels were a bit of a distraction, and one model even fell at the end. I ended up meeting a model from the show outside and we walked to the metro station and rode to the next place together. She was really nice, 20 years old, from Ohio, and in her 8th season (4 years). She is thinking it will be her last season, and told me she was feeling a bit like stale bread and that the designers just don't want her any more. Its sad how quickly the industry goes through young girls, treating them like objects the entire time. She was on her way to a presentation where she had to stand for 2 hours. She mentioned that the presentations are the worse because then people scrutinize your body and really do just use you like an object. I asked her about the shoes at Amaya, to which she shot back before I could finish "Did all the girls look terrified, we were terrified the whole time backstage!". I could tell. 

Fatima Lopes Final Walkthrough.

The fancy setup. 

Model vs. Cameras. 

Tucked away in the not so nice part of Paris at night was the Fatima Lopes show. The set up, theater, and unusual runway presentation made it all worthwhile though. The models slowly came out to the sound of thunder and a heavy bass beat, walking diagonally throughout the space at different speeds. The clothes themselves had some really interesting constructions, and the shoes were made to look like stalactites (a geological theme running through Paris?). 

Everyone here made it seem like getting into the shows with no invitation would be hard, but I found it to be quite the opposite. I had different experiences at all three though; Begging the PR girls at Anthony, asking nicely at Amaya, and just walking through the doors with other people at Fatima. 3 for 3 is not a bad way to start, but I'm not expecting it to be as easy the rest of the week, especially with the big shows. 

Techno Parade 2010

Today was Techno Parade, something that I am 150% convinced would never happen in any state... except maybe Florida during WMC, which is a shame because it was one of the most fun things I have ever been to. About 20 floats carrying dj's made there way through the streets from Denfert Rochereau to Bastille, over the course of 3 miles and 5 hours.  It moved very slow, 0.6 mph average if my math is right, giving everyone ample time to dance and follow the floats. It was something that is too hard to explain but hopefully my pictures give a sense of what it was like.

This older gentleman started dancing, and the crowd below went insane over it. 

On the bridge over the Seine. 

People dancing with flares...

People dancing on bus stations...

People dancing on sign poles... Basically anything capable of being dance on was. 

Massive floats basically built of speakers with a dj booth on top. Each float was louder than any club I have ever been to, and trust me, I've been to my fare share of loud clubs (I'm talking to you Paul Oakenfold), and clubs in general. 

Pink headbands mean you were part of the 500 or so people that took place in a flash mob at Denfert Rochereau. Somehow I got caught in the middle of it and had to do a really funny dance, which can be seen here, but at least I got my headband out of it! 

The endpoint of Techno Parade, Bastille. 

Fashion Drawing...

I had my first digital fashion drawing class today, the only thing we did for the entire class was work on a fashion drawing so she could assess our skill levels at photoshop (which I hate and refused to use) and illustrator (which I love). Halfway through class this is what I ended up with. I was pretty impressed with my computer skills.

Revelations...

My mood board for my Design Concepts class. We had to use the word "Revelation" as our starting point. This project will last the entire semester and we will design a 12 look collection based off of this word. 

Versailles...

I took a trip to Versailles this weekend to check out the new Murakami exhibition that just opened. We are using it as "inspiration" for a few of my classes, so I figured I had to go sooner rather than later to "get inspired". What I found out though was that I really dislike the actual Chateau de Versailles. It is overcrowded, touristy, and really not that spectacular. A short walk on the grounds brings you to the Grand and Petite Trianon, as well as Marie Antoinette's Hamlet. In the two times I have been to Versailles (both high and low season), these areas have been virtually absent of tourists; typically a few French families will be strolling around, but that is it. The buildings themselves are just as ornate as the main Chateau, but the lack of people makes them surprisingly welcoming, and allows you the time to enjoy yourself. The Hamlet, which was a ghost town the last time I was there, was transformed into a wonderland; an oasis from the overly stimulating details of the rest of Versailles. The gardens were in the height of their glory, the animals strolling peacefully around the place, and the weather only made things better. If I was feeling homesick of crisp fall days in Minnesota, I got the fix I needed in the Hamlet. 

The main gate.

The Chateau and Gardens, with the perfect natural lens flare (I am very anti-photoshop). 

Mushrooms on the floor.

Hall of Mirrors. I would say 1 in every 20 people stopped to look at the Murakami pieces, the rest just walked by and took pictures of other things. I don't think a lot of people realize the importance of this exhibition. 

Shrubs and shadows.

The lavender gardens of the Grand Trianon. 

This is my new favorite way to photograph furniture. Just the legs. I was the crazy person getting down on my hands and knees to photograph the furniture while everyone else just took the normal full room shot. I find this to be a much more interesting composition. 

There was a small stand selling baked potatoes in an old flame oven and they looked to good to pass up for lunch. They are very different from their American counterpart though. First, they don't use the typical Russet variety potato, and second, they sparingly put on the typical French toppings of jambon (ham) and fromage (they never specify what type of cheese, though I'm pretty convinced it is usually gruyere). There is not much flavor, but what was there was very good. I had some apple cider with it, and when paired with the brisk temps, felt like a wonderful autumn day. The changing chestnut trees helped too. All day long, I saw families digging through the piles of leaves looking for the large nuts. 

I just thought this was a beautiful moment that needed to be captured. It doesn't really say "Versailles" but maybe that is why I like it so much. 

The Temple of Love.

Maybe it was the lack of hey that I am so very allergic too, but for some reason I was uncharacteristically all over the animals that day. Every donkey needed to be petted, every chicken picked up, and the gigantic hog baby-talked too. The goats were really social and the cowbells around their necks just made them irresistible. 

The Hamlet really was just a quaint village...

With perfectly groomed gardens...

And the most tidy pumpkin patch ever.

The wildflowers all around Versailles provided such a bright burst of color. I think this image especially shows the side of Versailles so many of it's visitors never get to see. For them, the journey starts and ends at the Chateau. A stroll down to the fountains might be in order, but usually never much further than that. If you take the time to explore the area though, moments of serenity can be found off the tourist trail, and you can actually appreciate the magic the Monarchy created here so many years ago. 

Rick...

I meet Mr. Rick Owens today... All I know is that I was freaking out on the inside the entire time.

PV...

Today early in the morning after getting the breakfast "l'anglais" at the cafe under my apartment (half a baguette, jelly, butter, a croissant, 2 eggs, cafe au lait, and orange juice). I hopped on a train out of Paris to go to Premiere Vision. It is the largest Textile fair in the world, and the most influential. Bi-annually the fair decides what next years trends will be in fabrics, colors, and patters, as well as showcasing all the talents in the fashion industry. The exhibition hall was larger than I can even describe, and full of everything you could ever imagine. Room after room of techno fabrics, cottons, silks,  lace, you name it. Then you move on to the Leather fair, which to me was pure heaven. Crocodiles hung all around you in every color and treatment imaginable. Furs were sliced and diced to weigh nothing, and infused with precious metals. Then there was a room the size of the Minneapolis Convention Center (this was the smallest of 6 rooms), that was entirely devoted to trims (buttons, zippers, beads, feathers).

F/W 2011 Color Trends (it is crazy thinking a year in advance!)

My Draping teacher gave us credentials and business cards and had us pose as her assistants. We were meant to spend the day talking to vendors and ordering samples of fabric for her. At first it is intimidating working with all the people, but you quickly get the hang of it. It was really quite amazing being around so many people and looking at so many different fabrics. It really was visual stimulation overload, in the best sense of the word. 

Center Showcase to that groups all the key fabrics of next years collections. There are about 50 or so set ups with 5-15 different fabrics, each with a certain theme. 

It was a lot of fun, and very inspiring, but It really takes a lot out of you. Now to wait 6 months and do it again in February for S/S 2012(Crazy, no?)!

Night At The Museum...

The Louvre is free for students on Wednesday and Friday nights, making it a cheap way to study and get inspiration outside of school. Plus it is just a 5 minute walk from my apartment, so I have no excuse not to use it as a resource. 

Entrance under the Pyramid

Probably the second most photographed woman in Paris. 

My favorite French painter, Théodore Géricault, This is my favorite painting at the Louvre.

While all his painting are beautiful, I think his ones of animals are especially great. He captures them in such an emotive and raw way. 

At first I was caught off guard by the heron fighting the hawk...

... That is, until I kept seeing them pop up in artwork everywhere. I think there is a story that I am missing. 

Napoleons dining room. His apartment puts Versailles to shame in terms of use of gold and decoration. 

Fashion's Night Out...

Eiffel Tower and the Seine from Avenue Montaigne.

Dolce & Gabbana's private bar, and special "Dolce" drink in the gold bottles. 

A jazz band serenades the shoppers at Ralph Lauren.

View through the 3D glasses at Dior.

Massive crowds outside Louis Vuitton.

Eiffel Tower at 5 in the morning... It was that long of a night. 

Well, my first Fashion's Night Out will sure be in my mind for a long time. There is no better way to "shop" all the luxury boutiques on Avenue Montaigne than with some friends, and a constant flow of champagne and cocktails. Of course, every night has its highs and lows, and this one had plenty of each...

1) Dior: Massive speakers blasting an eclectic mix of house and rock music, turning the amazing store into a nightclub. All around waiters hand you glasses of champagne, and a plethora of delicious hors d'oeuvres. There was 3D screenings of the last Haute Couture show, and of course the clothes, oh the clothes (of the Dior and Dior Homme variety). Oh, and I spotted a guy in the Nina Ricci sickle heels. You know the ones...

2) Louis Vuitton: So, maybe you have to wait 30 minutes just to get in the door, but guess who was there to greet you inside... LEIGH LEZARK. I had to take a mental snapshot since Vuitton has a strict no camera policy, even though no other boutique cared last night. She was a lot more skinny in person than I ever imagined. 

3) Celine: Apparently Phoebe Philo (Creative Director) and Carine Roitfeld (Editor in Chief of Paris Vogue) were at the boutique styling looks, but I guess they were not there very long. Oh well, the clothes, shoes and bags more than made up for it. 6 inch boots covered inside and out with rabbit fur? Yes. Tote bag oozing in sheepskin? They had that too. 

4) Givenchy: Biggest let down of the night. I knew Riccardo Tisci has a devoted following, but his store was filled with them, and only them. Everyone was head to toe Givenchy F/W 2010, and by everyone I mean the 14 year old boys, and the 70 year old women. Getting to peek at the Haute Couture collection in person didn't make up for the depression of knowing I could never be in that crowed any time soon... unless I find myself a sugar mama, cuz I know my parents wont be supporting a Givenchy addiction any time soon. 

5) Chanel: Two simple words describe this event... Invitation Only. Only problem was it was not the same invitation that gets you into all the other events, it was a private invitation from Chanel. 

Tonight...

Vogue's Fashion's Night Out is tonight, so get out your fancy clothes and  get ready to party and shop (in my case, the window variety). 

Pictures and stories to come tomorrow. 

Apartment...

So the place is on the 5th floor with no elevator, small, and lacking a decent wall color, but it has some things going for it; good location in the 1st right by the Marais, and a great view (you can see le Centre Pompidou if you sick your head out the window, it is just down the street). Plus It is a few blocks from the river and the Louvre.