All Roads Lead to the World’s Fashion Capital

The influence of Paris in the fashion world is immense and its enduring essence captivates onlookers universally. Fashion aficionados, top executives, pioneering designers, and celebrities — everyone converges in the City of Light, bringing to the fore the marriage between old-world charm and contemporary dynamism.

The significance of Paris as a fashion capital is undeniable and its legacy dates back centuries, yet the city continues to innovate and set trends that resonate around the globe. WWD Style Director Alex Badia emphasizes this point, reflecting on the city’s historical prowess and modern-day relevance.

“In the middle of the 20th century, Paris solidified its position as the fashion hub,” Badia said. “Iconic designers such as Coco Chanel, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and Christian Dior laid the foundational aesthetics that revolutionized fashion post-World War II. These giants paved the way for future trailblazers including Yves Saint Laurent and the commanding presence of luxury conglomerates like LVMH in later decades. This blend of rich history with modern enterprise has maintained Paris as the epicenter of fashion innovation and business acumen.”

Arguably, the rise of Paris in the contemporary fashion scene can also be attributed to the digital revolution. Social media, Alex Badia notes, catapulted the city into a new realm. The picturesque visuals of Paris provide an idyllic backdrop for Instagram stories and influencer shoots, amplifying its allure. The introduction of new media brought a demystification of fashion, once an exclusive industry, now widened to audiences globally.

“In the past few years, Paris has become an obsession not only as a force of creativity, also a force of pushing fashion images and messaging forward,” Badia said. “The city obviously is the perfect background with stunning locations for shoots, which adds so much drama. There’s also a fairy tale-like aspect to certain parts. That creates the perfect environment for fashion to be incredible.”

Meanwhile, the spectacle of fashion week in Paris is unmatched. According to Badia, the recent events resemble rock concerts, complete with barricades, screaming fans, and a palpable excitement that attracts celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike from all corners of the globe. The transformation of these shows into cultural phenomena underscores the city’s gravitational pull and its significant role in setting global fashion trends.

“The influence of Paris is also felt in the avant-garde circles of fashion,” he said. “Designers like Rei Kawakubo and Rick Owens manage to defy the hype culture while maintaining the core of creativity and distinctiveness. Their small, intimate shows contrast sharply with the high-octane glamour of the larger houses — yet continue to leave a substantial impact on the industry’s creative direction. And here lies the subtle power of Paris: its ability to house diversity within its fashionable confines.”

Still, it is not just about the large-scale events. The very streets of Paris serve as open-air exhibitions of style and elegance. The daily fashions of Parisians, often effortless yet impeccably chic, add to the city’s fame as a fashion capital.

“It is kind of incredible just to walk down the street in Paris to see the way people dress every day,” Badia said. “There is such a strong element of fashion in the consciousness that is truly remarkable. And it has grown as social media has grown. There’s also been a democratization of fashion that just catapulted Paris to a whole new level.”

Badia said the convergence of fashion, music and culture in Paris during significant shows and events has created a new dynamic within the city. This synergy is part of what makes Paris not just a city but an experience — an immersive cultural phenomenon that influences tastes, trends and conversations globally. Celebrities and music intertwined with runway shows have further elevated the status and global spotlight, making Paris fashion weeks a must-attend, must-watch phenomenon.

“For example, you had Louis Vuitton show by Pharrell Williams with Beyonce and Rihanna in the front row, and you had Jay-Z then performing with Pharrell,” Badia said. “That’s a moment in time not to be forgotten.”

This convergence of fashion and pop culture and music has its root with Virgil Abloh. “When he came into the game he brought in a completely different generation,” Badia said. “Then it became a very intense cultural moment because it brought in all the stars, all the musicians. I remember walking down the street and getting a phone call saying, ‘Hello, this is CNN, do you have a minute to talk to us?’ And I thought, ‘Oh my God, we’ve come to a whole new level.’”

That the impact of fashion and culture is paramount. “And Kanye West was one of the first ones, he led the way for Virgil Abloh and Virgil Abloh then took it to a whole new level of visionary. The Pharrell Williams, the Virgil Ablohs and the Kanye Wests, have added an element that was not there before.”

As Paris gears up for the Olympics, Badia said Paris’ global visibility is set to intensify. The expected influx of people and the heightened global interest will test the city’s capabilities and undoubtedly mark another remarkable chapter in its cultural history. However, with such renown comes immense pressure — on designers to outdo themselves each season, on the city to manage the hordes of tourists, influencers, and industry professionals, and on the inherent charm of Paris to remain undiluted amidst the escalating commercial clamor.

Badia said Paris is heading toward a whole new world. “It feels like a hundred years of evolution in culture have gone by in an instant,” said Badia. “And I have became personally obsessed with this new reality, and I love it. I love what happens right now in Paris. Paris is the center of fashion, it is the center of global messaging, and it is the platform and the backdrop that the larger world sees and thinks this is fashion.”

In essence, Paris remains at the heart of the fashion dialogue not only because of its historical significance but because it continues to thrive as a nucleus of creativity, luxury, and avant-garde zeal. The city’s capability to evolve while respecting its roots is what continuously propels it to the forefront of the fashion industry, reminding us solemnly and spectacularly why Paris is and will remain the capital of the fashion world. As we peer into the future, one thing remains clear: in fashion, all roads lead to Paris.

Fashion and Paris

A Seamless Blend of Style and Culture at La Vallée Village.

Alex Badia, fashion director at WWD, recently spent a whirlwind week in Paris caught between shoots and meetings. But what better way to unwind than an exclusive tour of La Vallée Village, the prestigious shopping locale known for its unique blend of luxury, art, and culture?

Badia began his tour at The Apartment, an invitation-only private VIP experience at La Vallée Village, which is one of The Bicester Collection’s 12 Villages in Europe and China with one opening this fall in New York.

Upon arrival, the atmosphere confirms that this is not just about indulgence in shopping, but about experiencing a slice of Parisian life itself. Badia met with Mami Dumas, senior personal shopper at La Vallée Village, who describes the Village as a flagship location of The Bicester Collection, much like its English counterpart, Bicester Village in Oxfordshire. But while Bicester Village enshrines English heritage, La Vallée Village immerses guests in a Parisian fashion experience, seamlessly wrapping them in the city’s iconic aesthetic.

The setting of The Apartment has been deliberately curated to evoke the feel of a stylish Parisian salon — mixing vintage and contemporary furniture, a strategy that clearly resonates with fashion-forward visitors. “Whether our private clients are coming from nearby or abroad, we want them to feel like they’re stepping into their home or perhaps the home of their fabulous Parisian friend,” Dumas said.

Touring the shops of the Village, Dumas explains the unique concept behind La Vallée Village. Here, art merges with commerce, where rotating installations have included a local artist called In Love Street Art who has added graffiti declarations of love throughout the Village — a poignant touch in the city renowned as the Ville de L’amour (the City of Love). The Village not only curates fashion, but also curates a memorable experience. “What’s better than a declaration of love in Paris?” Badia said, adding that La Vallée Village offers a transformative environment where shopping transcends the act itself, becoming a memorable cultural engagement.

Shopping here is a meticulously crafted affair. “We offer a world-class mix of heritage French brands, international luxury houses, and up-and-coming designers all along one boulevard,” Dumas said, noting that the Village celebrates French fashion yet serves as a global stage showcasing French and other international brands— making it a melting pot of style and luxury.

After several hours of immersive shopping, Badia and Dumas retire for a traditional French lunch at Menu Palais — a fantastic close to a luxurious outing. The restaurant, founded by one of Paris’s most-renowned restaurateurs, not only tantalizes with its menu but also enriches the shopping experience, offering selections of meticulously handcrafted embroideries and sculptures from Atelier Musée du Louvre. As Dumas and Badia toast their wine glasses, Duma said La Vallée Village is more than a shopping destination; it’s a celebration of the French way of life — steeped in history, art, and gastronomy.