The fashion capital of the world is about to start off the next round of Fashion Week, so if you’re in Paris from 3 to 7 July, don’t miss out on Haute Couture Fashion Week 2016
It’s time to pack your bags for the fashion occasion of the summer – six full days of haute couture across Paris from the world’s major fashion houses, including Chanel, Gaultier, Dior and more.
Every January and July, fashion aficionados from around the world gather to see the city’s Haute Couture, which follows the much anticipated Paris Men’s Fashion Week. And every year, the shows are smaller and more bespoke, as haute couture becomes an increasingly expensive and luxurious segment of the fashion market. This should come as no surprise… the costs of producing hand-crafted, hand-sewn garments are steep and Haute Couture collections aren’t ready to wear items. They are exceptional, once-off pieces with a price to match.
Haute Couture shows are more about publicizing your brand and showing your creative mettle. They are not for buyers, but rather for the media who flock to Paris in their droves. Of course, each show is a creative masterpiece in its own right, a combination of art and fashion, creative talent and the design house’s signature special personality. The garments are not necessarily wearable, they are works of art in their own right.
Sadly, only the media, or those with press passes can attend the shows, which are held at the Grand Palais, the Palais de Tokyo and the Pavillon Cambon Capucines. But if you’re in the vicinity, you can certainly people watch and see what the world’s best dressed are wearing. The moment the show has been held, the garments are featured in print and online, so you’ll certainly be able to keep track of who’s showing what, and how it’s being received.
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Sunday, 3 July
4pm: Adeline Andre
6pm: Vetements
8pm: Atelier Versace
Monday, 4 July
10am & 11am: Schiaparelli
2.30pm & 5pm: Christian Dior
6.30pm: Ralph & Russo
7.30pm: Giambattista Valli
Tuesday, 5 July
10am & 12 noon: Chanel
2.30pm: Stephane Roland
5pm: J Mendel
6pm: Giorgio Armani Prive
7.30pm: Alexandre Vauthier
Wednesday, 6 July
10am: Maison Margiela
11am: Franck Sorbier
12.30pm: Elie Saab
2.30pm: Jean Paul Gaultier
4pm: Viktor&Rolf
5pm: Zuhair Murad
6.30pm: Valentino
Thursday, 7 July
From 10.30am: Boucheron, Bulgari, Chanel Jewellery, Chaumet, Dior Jewellery, De Beers, Louis Vuitton Jewellery