Shopping in Paris Region

Right up there in the running alongside London, Milan and New York, Paris is one of the four famous cities nicknamed the Big Four by fashion addicts. But against these competing cities, Paris has a major asset: its history.

One day, France witnessed the emergence of a legendary trend: designer fashion. A trend that has remained on the streets of Paris ever since. However, we owe the very principle of the fashion house to an Englishman. In the 19th century, Charles Frederick Worth decided to change the way he made clothes. Instead of simply meeting his clients’ expectations, he created brand new garments for his boutique. His collections began to include unique items and changed with every season. His fashion house on Rue de la Paix in Paris became known internationally and other fashion designers later followed his example. Couture became an art. During this time, famous names that were linked to the fashion world in varying degrees also began to build their legends. The prestige image of France was further enhanced by the expertise of names like Guerlain, Vuitton, Hermès and Cartier.

In the 20th century, Paris shone brighter than ever. Coco Chanel imposed a whole new look on women, who now enjoyed more freedom. Much later, Christian Dior joined the designer world and shook things up a little. His New-Look style disconcerted somewhat the pre-existing designers such as Balmain, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Doucet and Vionnet.
After the Second World War, however, Paris was forced to share the stage and even came close to leaving it. The French capital had to rely on its historical assets. They may have been creative on the other side of the Atlantic, but Paris boasted an ancestral expertise that New York wasn’t about to replace.

In the 1970s, new names made their merry way into the world of high fashion. The likes of Kenzo, Gaultier, Mugler and others kept the international influence of Paris alive. But from then on, it was all about off-the-peg fashion. And yet fresh styles, creativity and new trends continued to emerge from the famous names of haute couture.

The year 2000 came and went. Paris left in its wake a century full of unexpected turns. In the public imagination, the city’s image was imprinted once and for all as the ultimate fashion hotspot. If you still have doubts, there’s a film that should convince you. In The Devil Wears Prada, is it not in Paris that Miranda and Andrea attend Fashion Week? You see, even Hollywood agrees that fashion heaven is the French capital.

In the department stores, you’ll find a multitude of brand names all under the same roof. Paris boasts six of these huge shops: Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Printemps Haussmann, Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées, Bon Marché Rive Gauche, Samaritaine and BHV Marais.
Besides being true shopping temples, these outlets selling clothing, accessories, decorations and other items are housed in buildings that are true architectural gems. Shopping in such places is an extraordinary experience, much more than just a window-shopping spree. Speaking of shop windows, the ones at Galeries Lafayette are particularly well known for their Christmas displays.

Yesterday’s fashion world was under the spotlight for its beauty and expertise. Today, the spotlight reveals a darker side of this industry. Faced with environmental issues, the mindset of clients is changing. Nowadays, some people prefer to buy their clothes in second-hand shops, be it to save money or to preserve the planet without depriving themselves of a shopping spree. Vintage garments seem to be gaining momentum in the fashion habits of France.
And the department stores have brought themselves up to speed. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann now has a (Re)Store section. Vintage items and responsible fashion, be they designer or off-the-peg, take pride of place on the 3rd floor of 500 m². Printemps Haussmann also offers a responsible shopping experience in a second-hand section on the 7th floor which includes luxury vintage items. Other stores are launching similar campaigns to encourage the recycling, resale or upcycling of garments.