8 Things You Won't Want To Miss At Paris Fashion Week Fall 2020
Paris Fashion Week is here, so if you've been waiting all month to see French houses like Saint Laurent, Celine, and Louis Vuitton show their latest wares, you're in luck. But in the craziness of the next week, which is longer than New York, London, and Milan while still being just as jam-packed, it can be hard to remember what's newsworthy or know what you need to check out in between shows. To help with this, we've rounded up what to see and do this Paris Fashion Week, from creative director debuts to exhibitions that conveniently open when the entire fashion crowd is gathered in the French capital. Whether you are in Paris or want to know what to keep your eye on while at home, see eight highlights below:
Watch Felipe Oliveira Baptista's debut at Kenzo
After Carol Lim and Humberto Leon announced they were leaving LVMH house Kenzo, Franco-Portuguese designer Felipe Oliveira Baptista was appointed the new creative director in July 2019. After nearly eight months of waiting, we'll finally see the designer's debut on Wednesday 26 February in what's sure to be a much-talked-about moment, seeing as Baptista has garnered significant industry acclaim. In 2002, he won the grand prize of the Hyères Fashion Festival, and after launching his own label in 2003, the designer soon received an ANDAM fashion award, as well as financial support from LVMH and Beams. While Kenzo has unveiled a new logo, the world is still eagerly anticipating what the pieces themselves might look like. We bet that Baptista's vision will align with his aesthetic: a desirable contemporary concept that's sassy, cheerful, and attentive to both sustainability and inclusivity. If his debut proves to hold these qualities, that seems like a modern moment worth celebrating.
Follow the Chloé show closely
The Chloé show is always a highlight during Paris Fashion Week, but this season is especially worth paying attention to, as the fashion rumour mill thinks it could be Natacha Ramsay-Levi's last show. The French house has denied this, but a lot of changes have been happening since the arrival of new CEO Riccardo Bellini last December, who came from Maison Margiela. So what direction is the French fashion house going next? And what does the future hold for Ramsay-Levi, who since April 2017 has created an uncompromising vision for Chloé connected with the desires of the modern woman? We'll have to wait and see.
Toast the opening of L'Exhibiition(niste) at Palais de la Porte Dorée
On Wednesday 26 February, just as Paris Fashion Week is getting into full swing, the Palais de la Porte Dorée opens a new exhibition devoted to the life and work of Christian Louboutin. The location is significant, as the designer was born nearby and started his career making shoes inspired by Palais motifs. Immerse yourself in the flamboyant universe of the shoe designer known for his red soles by exploring his personal collection, his influences, his love for his craft, and never-before-seen artist collaborations.
See LVMH Prize winner Thebe Magugu's Paris Fashion Week debut
Thebe Magugu is an exciting new force. Back in September, the South African designer won the LVMH prize in a competition that started with 1,700 hopefuls, becoming the first African winner ever, while also being the year's youngest candidate at just 26 years old. Hailing from the city of Kimberley, but based in Johannesburg, Magugu launched his ready-to-wear brand in 2015 and wants to share his country's craft through his work. His label, which plays on mixing materials, has already won over some big names in the fashion world: Maria Grazia Chiuri, the artistic director of Dior womenswear, and Delphine Arnault, executive vice president of Louis Vuitton, are among his fans.
Check out the new Betty Catroux exhibition at Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris
Muse and partner in crime of Yves Saint Laurent, Betty Catroux is a true style icon. Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris presents an exhibition that explores the model's style and personality, featuring several pieces donated from Catroux herself. Whether jumpsuit, tuxedo, or trench coat, the featured looks are a testament to the aesthetic proximity between Catroux and Saint Laurent, especially their shared love for the androgynous look, which has become a house signature. Anthony Vaccarello, the maison's current creative director, was invited to select the pieces.
Xuly .Bët's return to Paris Fashion Week
Whether you know the name or not, Xuly .Bët was one of the most innovative brands of the '90s, championing sustainability and inclusivity long before those issues became popular, all while crafting covetable creations. While designer Lamine Badian Kouyaté has continued the exciting work on his label ever since, he's flown a bit under the radar, but rest assured the brand is making a comeback on the Parisian scene. Registered on the Féderation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode's presentation calendar, the label's latest collection will premiere on Monday 2 March.
Keep Tabs on Devon Lee Carlson
Popular on YouTube and Instagram while also running a successful tech accessories brand Wildflower Cases, Devon Lee Carlson is surely one to follow this Paris Fashion Week. Effortlessly cool, the social media star counts Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Bella Hadid among her high-profile crew, and is in a serious relationship with Jesse Rutherford, the lead singer of The Neighbourhood. Carlson attended Saint Laurent last season, and this time around she's a face of the Louis Vuitton Spring 2020 accessories collection, so we'll hopefully see her in the front row of the house's Paris Fashion Week finale on Tuesday 3 March. She's already in Paris, so you should expect to see a lot of her throughout the week.
Explore the revamped Musée des Arts Décoratifs
On 28 February, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is unveiling a major facelift. The 130-year-old institution, famous for housing a collection of over 150,000 pieces from top designers and couturiers like Dior and Jean-Paul Gaultier, has renovated all 1,300 sq metres of its fashion galleries, both restoring the original architecture of its location in the Louvre's Western Wing and transforming its scenography to be able to showcase its treasures like never before. So if you're looking for a way to enjoy the magic of Parisian culture during a break from shows, or even just planning your next trip to the city of light, this major moment is something you won't want to miss.
