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Cities of Fashion: Paris
by
findingDulcinea Staff
There’s nothing like Paris in the spring, especially if you fancy yourself a fashionista. Even though Fashion Week has come and gone, Parisian style never wanes. Plan a visit to Paris to witness firsthand the history of French fashion houses and all the couture that’s au courant.
City of Fashion Beacons
Before you set out, familiarize yourself with Paris fashion, starting with the history of Louis XIV’s ”fashion dolls” to the trends of the catwalk. Discover what it takes to become an official couture house, and take a peek at the spring and summer trends for 2008.
Source: Fashion-Era.com
Although the role of haute couture is not what it was when French royalty inhabited Versailles, there are still a number of serious designers dressing the Parisian elite. Which designers rule the current fashion scene? Visit Mode à Paris, the official Paris fashion Web site, for an outline of the couturiers and fashion designers at work in Paris.
Source: Mode à Paris
To see what the major Paris fashion houses presented this year during Fashion Week, have a look at the French Embassy’s presentation of runway highlights. If you’d like details of some of the other collections, shows, parties and more, visit Style.com, which keeps up with virtually every trend, designer and fashion promotion event across the globe.
Printemps department store in Paris
Shopping Guidance
Now that you’re familiar with the latest trends and styles, you’ve likely developed an appetite for shopping. Even though the Fashion Week runways are empty, the Paris shops are full. Before you begin, make a game plan: figure out what stores to visit, when they’ll be open and how to get to them. Learn where to shop, when to shop and the details of what to expect from the wealth of Paris designers, department stores and boutiques.
Source: Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau
The shopping options in Paris are extraordinary—perhaps overwhelmingly so. Fortunately, there are ways to make sure you get the best of everything. Consider hiring your own personal Paris shopping guide to take you on a fashion-inspired tour of the city. Chic Shopping Paris arranges a day of shopping based on your specific needs and wants: take a tour of Parisian boutiques, outlets, vintage shops, and many shopping destinations.
Source: Chic Shopping Paris
If you’d rather browse independently and want insider tips on where to find the best stores and neighborhoods for specific types of shopping, check out Time Out’s Paris Shopping section. This very current guide to Paris fashion can help you find stores that cater exactly to your tastes. Get recommendations on where to find bargains, boutiques, new designers, classics and vintage outlets, or find shops by neighborhood. Browse the rest of the cultural guides published by Time Out to find the hippest art galleries, music venues, and eateries.
Source: Time Out
Not all of us can shop to our heart’s content; after a while, the money runs out. But there are still plenty of ways for you to ogle beautiful clothes for free (or for a very small fee). Paris is home to a number of couture museums, like Les Arts Decoratifs, a museum dedicated to clothes, fabric and decorative arts. The Musée Galliera, dedicated to the history of fashion, is another museum worth visiting.
Dining on the Seine River in Paris
Non-Fashion Attractions
The Portal of the City of Paris, which hosts the Musée Galliera profile, is a great resource for Paris culture. Look for full descriptions of most major museums, directories to Paris Theaters, information on the Paris Cinéma festival and a list of famous monuments and attractions throughout the city.
If you’ve never been to Paris before, and have no idea what to expect, Discover France is one of the most comprehensive online travel guides available. Its section on Paris outlines virtually everything you need to know before you visit: learn what to expect from the weather, how to navigate public transportation and where to find the best hotels, restaurants and attractions in the city.
Source: Discover France
Paris is known for its couture, museums and monuments. But let’s not forget one of the biggest draws to visiting the famous French city: its cuisine. With no shortage of restaurants to choose from, you’re well advised to research the array of options. Use Eat In Paris to determine what restaurants, bars or cafes will fuel your Parisian adventure. The site lets you search through thousands of eateries, recommends its favorite restaurants, and highlights what’s new in Paris dining culture.
Source: Eat In Paris
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