BY NOAH SPEE
Date of publishing: 11/06/2023
In the spring of 2022, I decided to spend a few days in one of my favorite cities in the world. Paris. I know it might be a little cheesy to say that I love Paris but it’s true, and I know that I’m definitely not the only one. But I digress. Because Paris revolves around fashion there was one thing I knew I had to do, attend a fashion show. The fashion show I’m talking about is not one of the major shows at fashion week but for me, at the time, I felt entirely at home.
If you’re ever in Paris, visiting Lafayette is definitely a must see. Okay, the prices might be a little more costly but you don’t even have to go there to go shopping. Just walking around is an experience in itself. Luxury brands everywhere you look and if you can see past the tourists, the outfits people (the locals) are wearing are very inspiring. Lafayette being the warehouse that it is also offers other activities then just shopping. Like baking macarons, or at least attend a class on how to bake macarons. But I’m not here to tell you about my horrific cooking skills. You came here for the fashion. And just like a cooking activity, they also offer a weekly fashion show. In the summer months they even have a show 2 times a week.
Let me start out by saying that I did not know where to go. Lafayette is an enormous warehouse and finding your way there might prove to be quite problematic. However, I was determined to find where I had to be. After asking one person after the other who all told me I had to be on a different floor, and searching every department there was I finally found it. Tucked away behind the lingerie section, on the fourth floor is a hall where the fashion shows are held. If there’s one thing my friends know about me is that I hate being late to things. Thankfully the hostesses and hosts were still waiting in front of the door checking the last people in.
The hostess that was kind enough to let me go in after the doors where already closed. She guided me through a small hallway to the host that was waiting in front of the doors to the runway. After thanking them for letting me go in the host took over and was going to lead me to my seat. Here’s the fun part. Because I was late, everyone was already seated. And I mean everyone. The only seats that were left available where 3 seats at the front of the runway where the models were going to enter. This meant that I had to walk past every single person to my seat, guided by host. Making it worse, was that I was still wearing my oversized sunglasses that I forgot to take off because of the rushing and trying to make it on time. As I was walking to the front, across the very long runway, people where whispering and looking at me. Because most of the people there where tourists just like me, they were speaking English. Even the people that didn’t speak English, the context said it all. I heard gasps, people asking each other if I was famous or even an important person. Even though I felt really embarrassed, I decided to keep my head held high and pretended I was that important person. Because if people are going to look and talk about me, might as well make them believe the fairytale, right?
As I finally said down after what felt like an eternity, the show started. Tall and beautiful models walked down the runway wearing a version of the latest trends. Of course, Lafayette had to make some extra money, so they showed clothes that they even sold themselves. In the booklet that was on our seats was all the information about the different collections and on what floor you could buy them. They showed different brands and different trends that where relevant at the time. My favorite look that walked down the runway was a green monochromatic look that existed out of a three-piece suit and heels to match. Being in awe of all the beautiful clothes, it was over as soon as it started. But aren’t all good things though?
Lafayette definitely needs to step up their navigation game. Being drenched in sweat and looking like an idiot running through a warehouse is not fun to do. The people are very open to helping you but they tend to all tell you something different so this is very much a point of improvement. However, If you’ve never attended a fashion show but you’re on a budget, this is definitely a must do activity. Don’t expect the who’s who of the fashion industry to show up because this is very much tourist focused. You also need to keep in mind that this is no Balmain Haute Couture fashion show but it’s an amazing experience nonetheless. Personally, I got an amazing feeling. Like this is what I was supposed to do, work in fashion, work hard to reach that point to actually attend the fashions shows of the different houses. So, if you’re a fashion lover like me, you’ll appreciate this experience regardless of it being more middle class.