Paris by David Bellion
Paris has long had the reputation of being the fashion capital of the world, and its street-style scene is no exception. It has always been synonymous with elegance, sophistication, and innovation. Its evolution over a long period of time reflects the changing social, political, and cultural landscape of Paris and the world in general. In the last decade, Paris has changed so much for the better. This digital age has produced a special kind of talent that has conquered the city and made it a cool playground. From fashion designers to chefs, from artists to musicians, from athletes to architects, this generation had a strong fashion sense. They finally started to take the super chic heritage Paris has given us and create a street style that looks like its inhabitants, showcasing a mix of classic elegance and cutting-edge fashion. And you can always count on Goldie Williams, Jeremy French or Alex tres cool, the best-dressed photographers in the business, to capture and document the city's best looks. If I had to define Parisian Street Style in the last ten years, it would be Wojak at a party saying «They don’t know I’m wearing the 4800€ Bottega Veneta Printed Leather Denim». If only I had the money...
Paris is like that pair of jeans, very complex to make it normal. So does our street style. You think you know but you don’t. A very passive-aggressive way to show we’re French. But let us be honest and put aside our French arrogance: we may have invented Haute couture, but the rest of the world invented the street style. Yes, when you think of fashion, you automatically think of Paris, but it took a lot of time and effort for us to step out of the shadow of the big names. For a long time, greats like Chanel, Saint Laurent, Hermès, Dior, Balenciaga, Alaia, Givenchy, Celine, Mugler, Gaultier, and others were a gift and a curse for the development of street style in Paris. But let us start 10 years ago today, when the rise of social media and fashion bloggers led to a democratization of style, with people around the world sharing their own unique fashion perspectives. Over the past decade, Paris has become more inclusive and reflective of global trends. With the increasing popularity of platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, many Parisians use these platforms to showcase their unique style and discover new trends and fashion inspirations. This has led to a more diverse and eclectic style as people draw inspiration from a wider range of sources and incorporate different elements into their outfits. While traditional French style continues to be an influence, there is a growing interest in experimentation and individuality, with a range of styles and subcultures represented.
This updated version of Paris gave birth to solid brands like Etudes, Jacquemus, Ami, Drole de Monsieur, Pigalle, Bluemarble, Maison Château Rouge, Pressure, Kitsune or Instagram-friendly brands like The Frankie Shop, Rouje and Wear Marcia. And they are all a reflection of Paris' fashion mentality. The city has seen such an upsurge that no matter where you come from, with great artistic direction, you can create a brand that comes from your talent or profession and has nothing to do with fashion at first. Arthur Kar, a car expert, invented the clothing brand L'Art de l'Automobile, which is inspired by the car industry. This has already led him to collaborate with Salomon, Carhartt, and Porsche. Sold out immediately. Paperboy, one of the best restaurants in the capital, is now also a coveted brand, collaborating with Beams to produce limited edition New Balance, tracksuits with Needles, or shorts and T-shirts with FC REAL Bristol. Same. Sold out as soon as it hit the market. Concept shops like The Broken Arm, The Next Door, Tom Greyhound, and One Block Down are also the guardians of Parisian street style. They feature a combination of timeless, classic pieces and high-fashion, avant-garde looks. Many offbeat brands that are now world-famous were first discovered in their shops.
The mix of high-end designer pieces and more affordable brands with a range of price points and styles that make the personal style more original became a new trend. As global awareness of sustainability and ethical fashion practices has increased, Parisian street style has also evolved to reflect these values. There is now more emphasis on vintage and second-hand pieces, as well as eco-friendly and sustainable materials. This has led to a greater emphasis on the quality and durability of clothing and a more conscious approach to fashion and consumption. Of course, the majority of Parisians find their hidden treasures on Vestiaire Collective, Vinted, or in cheap second-hand shops. But there are also more and more confidential luxury and streetwear archive platforms where you can find the finest and rarest vintage garments. I am thinking of the spectacular Spaghetti Archives, a vintage shop founded by Sophia Elizabeth with an insane selection of clothes and accessories that you can find in some stunning campaigns always staged by Olivier Leone, co-founder of one of the most famous shoe brands NODALETO. Then there's the Archivist Store, probably one of the coolest second-hand shops in the world. And as part of the same sustainable fashion approach, you can be sure that new designers like Marine Serre, Esther Manas, or Kitesy Martin are at the top of the list to get an upcycled piece that adds character to Parisian street style.
The blurring of gender lines has also been a major trend in Paris in recent years, with gender-neutral clothing and unisex styles becoming increasingly popular. French fashion brands such as Vetements and Y/Project are at the forefront of this trend with their oversized and deconstructed silhouettes that challenge traditional notions of gender. But if there's one particular mix that trumps all in Paris, it's streetwear. There's a saying here that goes, «La banlieue inspires Paris, Paris inspires le monde». This means that the real inspiration will always come from the Parisian suburbs. The way French youth move will be how they feel and dress in the capital in the next few years, and then the world will follow.
There is also an upsurge of new Parisian brands coming out of skateboard culture, such as Helas, Futur, and Rave, which give a new silhouette to our street style. Streetwear continues to influence high-end fashion, with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior collaborating with streetwear labels like Supreme and Stussy. This led to a fusion of high and low fashion, with streetwear becoming more sophisticated and refined, leading to the Gorpore era. The era we are living in right now. I think tech wear is really made for our city. Brands like Salomon, Rier, Roa, And Wander, GR10K, Satisfy, Johanna Parv, and Arcteryx are must-haves to perfect your street style and stay comfortable at all times. And I have a feeling it's going to stay that way. It's not always easy to copy how we dress in Paris. There is a very distinct culture of detail, subtlety, and balance that allows us to mix different trends in one look. Paris' fashion heritage is a testament to the city's rich history and cultural influence, and the way we dress is a reflection of that heritage that we adapt to our lifestyles today. That indefinable French Touch of je ne sais quoi is our street style signature, effortless but with premeditation.
