Paris Fashion Week

Attending Paris Fashion Week was something I wasn’t fully prepared for. I knew I needed to pack enough outfits for the shows and some for going out at night. However, I wasn’t ready for the mornings after the night out parties we attended. Originally, I went to see various shows and, at night, unwind with people I met during the events and my friends who had also come from London. Usually, I’m the one who packs her day with as many activities as possible, only to remind myself in the early mornings how poorly I organize my daily to-do list.

To do’s in Fashion Week

Seven shows to attend, model for Laveau, and film the fashion reality was a bit with the outfit changes, networking, poor lunches and multiple champagne glasses during the day.

Paris Fashion Week is more than just a series of fashion shows; it is a hub of networking and collaboration for like-minded individuals passionate about fashion. The event offered unparalleled opportunities to connect with designers, models, influencers, and industry insiders, fostering an environment of creativity and mutual support. The interactions and connections made during this time are invaluable, extending far beyond the confines of the event itself.

The inclusion of We Are FEP Group in Paris Fashion Week underscored the event’s status as a crucible of fashion innovation. Their commitment to showcasing talent, supporting creative endeavors, and providing platforms for new voices to be heard is commendable. As a participant, the experience was both exhilarating and enriching, offering insights into the complexities and nuances of the fashion industry. I’ve met amazing talents both backstage and watching the shows. It is very common that in such events we come across photographers, with whom we can create some lovely content on spot. This is how I came across Yulia, who resonated with my aesthetic I represent on my social media, and to be fair slightly looked like my fairy sister. She is from Ukraine, young, talented, pretty, stylish and creates clear fashion portraits and commercials globally. Between two shows we shot these images of Hannah and me.

The sustainability effort

While many designers’ core message was focused on sustainability, I failed to see substantial effort behind the words. This is nothing new; marketing often speaks louder than the real actions of a brand. Communication strategies rarely align with company processes, fabrics, production, and environmental actions. The reality is, attending such an event as a brand is costly. Relatively new brands and designers do not necessarily have the investment required to represent themselves in Paris. Since designers and brands rely on fabrics, everything boils down to the cost and quality of these materials. Buying in bulk, opting for less expensive fabrics, paying garment workers less, and saving on production and shipping costs are the pillars of the financial plans for each business. I know this, I myself have no budget to represent my brand (yet) on Paris Fashion Week, so do not get me wrong I applause all those who can do so, maybe it is just really but REALLY time to stop using polyester, sequins, beads, nylon and extremely harmful fabrics in the industry.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
– Albert Einstein, Physicist

Fashion Week should be a pillar and the biggest advocate for sustainability, where all these efforts are visibly seen in action. Yet, it remains much the same as it has always been. Don’t get me wrong—the money spent on venues, invitees, design, installation, and media coverage is immense. This amount should be equally distributed in their sustainability approaches. However, many fashion houses are still using old-school, non-biodegradable fabrics and methods for acquiring cheap labor, and garment production essentials that are located in places where they can endanger resources (like wool). I don’t understand it. It should be the other way around. Why are slow fashion and small sustainable brands the ones leading by example, while fast fashion and luxury houses who does have the money get away with their questionable practices?

“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, designed or removed from production.”
– Pete Seeger, Folk Singer & Social Activist

Calling myself lucky to have experienced such an event, not only as a guest but also as a model, is something I could never have imagined a year ago. Representing Laveau and WEAREFEP was a fantastic experience. Becky and Ruslan who worked behind the scenes, played a pivotal role in the event and are great talents in the fashion industry. They organize fashion events and represent talents not only in London but in Paris as well. Just by watching and paying attention to what they did, I constantly learned something new. There is so much effort and organization that goes into such an event that one can’t even imagine unless they are part of it and experience each day firsthand.

Modeling for Laveau

As soon as I saw the most extravagant dress on the mannequin, I exclaimed, “Oh, I wish I could wear this dress!” To my surprise, they came over to me afterward and said, “We want you to wear this dress.” And it fit like a glove. For makeup, they chose orange eyeshadow and a wet hair look.

Recap

As I dream of my next fashion week experience, I envision a shift toward more conscious consumerism and ethical practices within the fashion industry. I hope to see a world where our buying choices support the creation of garments that precisely meet demand, eliminating excess production. It’s time we turn away from the relentless flood of fast fashion, which not only depletes resources but also clutters our planet with disposable clothing. Instead, let’s champion brands that pay fair wages in developing countries, where workers are respected and valued for their skilled labor. I wish for production limits that revitalize deserted lands and conserve scarce resources, making room for nature to thrive. And above all, I long for the widespread adoption of biodegradable fabrics that ensure our style does not come at the expense of our environment. This is the future of fashion I wish to support and witness—an industry that dresses us without undressing our planet.