Men’s Fashion, Haute Couture and Shopping in Paris this January.

9 December 2016

January is upon us, and whilst most of Europe will descend into a state of post-Christmas depression, Paris begins 2017 in enigmatic fashion… with fashion being the operative word. January in the French capital marks the arrival of Paris Fashion Week; along with the much anticipated January Sales, transforming the city into a sanctuary for fashionistas. A five-star stay at Hotel Balzac makes for the perfect January getaway, and our desirable location in the heart of the 8th arrondissement places you on the doorstep to all of the excitement that envelops the city during Paris Fashion Week.

Men’s Fashion

18th January – 22nd January

Various Locations

One of the so called ‘Big Four’ alongside London, Milan and New York; Paris is arguably the biggest, and is undoubtedly the pioneer (at least historically) in everything fashion, with exhibitions of the latest styles and trends dating back as far as the 1700s. Following the London and Milan Men’s Fashion shows earlier in the month, Paris now takes centre stage, as leading Menswear designers flock to the French capital in their droves, exhibiting what men across the world will likely be wearing come autumn 2017.

Paris’ Spring/Summer 2017 Men’s Fashion show was the expected extravagant affair, and of the designers who made an impact at the event; fragrance connoisseur Issey Miyake, prêt-à-porter aficionado Haider Ackermann, and the eccentric Dries Van Noten undoubtedly stole the show with their pioneering conceptions. Trying to emulate their prowess this January are other leading names in the world of Men’s Fashion, and you can expect to see flawless tailoring, outlandish designs and otherworldly apparel in excess, as the likes of Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, Rick Owens, Thom Browne, Yohji Yamamoto, Pierre Cardin, Giorgio Armani and Versace, frequent iconic Parisian venues with their Autumn/Winter 2017 collections.

Haute Couture

22nd January – 26th January

Various Locations

Haute Couture literally translates as ‘High Fashion’ and is a fitting term to describe some of the designs that are displayed during Paris Fashion Week. The collections featured are more works of art than mere clothing, and are created with excruciating attention to detail; featuring only high quality, expensive and often unusual materials, which are embroidered by the world’s most adept seamstresses. The hours committed to creating these works of art is rumoured to be in the thousands, so it is unsurprising that examples of Haute Couture can fetch up to five figure sums.

Nothing is officially Haute Couture unless it’s made by a fashion house approved by the Chambre Syndicate, making this section of Paris Fashion Week highly exclusive. Only a handful of the world’s fashion designers exhibit examples of Haute Couture, and leading the way in the world of High Fashion are the likes of Chanel, Ellie Saab, Versace, Stephane Rolland, Christian Dior, Yiqing Yin, Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier; and you can expect to see all manner of jewel encrusted exuberance, extravagance and expense on display.

Ultimately, Paris Fashion Week never fails to generate a buzz around the city, and this year will be no different. As well as the inflow of designers who frequent the capital, the usual entourage of fashion editors, buyers, bloggers, photographers and celebrities will also be in tow; bringing a carnival atmosphere with them. Tickets for the most exclusive events are near impossible to come by, but a visit to the city places you in the thick of the hysteria caused by Paris Fashion Week and is well worth the trip. Bars, restaurants and attractions alike will be teeming with life, and the usual patrons of Parisian streets who look like they’re in a fashion show the year-round, may look slightly underwhelming in comparison to the influx of elaborately dressed tourists.

Les Soldes

Throughout January

Various Locations

With the arrival of January comes the much anticipated return of Paris’ January sales. Known the world over for its fine selection of shopping resorts, Paris has it all. From the most sought after luxury brands through to popular high-street names, you are certain to find something to your liking; and for a fraction of the price!

Les soldes (sales) in France are regulated, and they tend to only happen twice throughout the year, once in summer and once in winter; meaning when they do have sales they’re big affairs and you can expect to find as much as 70% off even the most opulent of brands.

Be sure to pay a visit to Avenue Montaigne for stores specialising in high end fashion, boasting names like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel to name a few. Avenue des Champs-Élysées too contains many luxury retailers, but if you are looking for popular high-street names, look no further; as brands like Adidas, Lacoste, Levi’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Zara and the Disney Store all make their home here. Paris also has no shortage of independent boutiques, and you will find a wealth of quirky, autonomous outlets displaying a plethora of chic designs, dotted around the city.

A January getaway in Paris is the perfect way to begin 2017, and with the usual abundance of fine-dining, cultural offerings and breath-taking sights alongside the excitement generated by Paris Fashion Week, there is no better time to visit The City of Light. A five-star stay at Hotel Balzac places you on the doorstep to all of Paris’ curiosities, and with excellent offers throughout winter, now is a great time to book your luxury stay in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.