What is Paris like during Paris Fashion Week?

Paris Fashion Week is one of the most important events in the fashion world, taking place twice a year. It is here that renowned fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga and Schiaparelli showcase their latest collections. It is not only a celebration of fashion, but also a gathering of global industry leaders, celebrities and influential figures from the worlds of film, music and art, who take their seats in the front rows of the shows as special guests.

However, Paris Fashion Week is not just about spectacular shows on elaborate catwalks. At the same time, Paris hosts a series of smaller but equally important events, such as trade fairs (for example, Tranöi), exclusive events and after-parties for buyers and designers. These gatherings encourage networking and provide an opportunity to discover promising, smaller brands and innovative collections.

Interestingly, when strolling through Paris, you might easily miss these events if you aren’t aware of them. As well as the major shows held at iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, many events take place in the city’s hidden corners. These exclusive gatherings and presentations are often reserved for those in the know, which makes Paris during Fashion Week a mysterious place full of surprises, accessible only to those who know the key passwords to the world of fashion.

La Watch Party: A Landmark Event at Paris Fashion Week

In an era where fashion is becoming increasingly accessible, La Watch Party, organised by @ly.as and his team, is setting new standards for the way we experience fashion events. Moving from bars to the prestigious Théâtre du Châtelet, La Watch Party brought together fashion enthusiasts who had the opportunity to experience the excitement of Paris Fashion Week together.

During this year’s event, I had the pleasure of attending two live streams: the first featuring the Rabanne show, and the second the evening show by Isabel Marant. Attendance at La Watch Party is free — you just need to turn up, which attracts huge crowds. At the entrance, attendees receive small gifts from sponsors and the chance to choose one free drink, which creates a sense of community.

The event began an hour before the broadcast, when Lyas welcomed the crowd and organised an interactive game in which participants could win two tickets to the show. Then, two people set off on scooters with Lyas to the show, whilst the rest of the participants followed their journey through Paris, adding an element of excitement and dynamism.

Watching a live show in such an atmosphere is an experience that is hard to compare to sitting at home. The shared excitement and discussions that accompanied the event made the participants feel part of something bigger. After the show, we waited for Lyas and his companions to return, which provided an opportunity for networking and exchanging impressions with other attendees. Following the show, we shared our thoughts on the collection, which added depth to the whole event.

The Rabanne show, which took place at midday, had a more intimate feel, which encouraged direct interaction. The evening show by Isabel Marant attracted a much larger audience, which made the atmosphere even more intense. Although both shows followed a similar format, the differences in attendance meant that each had its own unique atmosphere.

La Watch Party is an incredibly important event for those wishing to gain an insight into the exclusive world of fashion. The organisers, including Lyas, emphasise that their aim is to open up this world to a wider audience. With each season, it becomes clear just how successfully they are achieving this, offering participants not only the opportunity to watch the shows, but also the chance to make valuable contacts.

In an era where fashion is becoming increasingly inclusive, La Watch Party is setting new trends in the way we perceive and engage with fashion events. It is not only a celebration of fashion, but also a platform for exchanging ideas, finding inspiration and building relationships that can shape the future of the industry.

Tranoï: The Business Heart of Paris Fashion Week

For the fashion industry, Tranoï is much more than just a ‘trade fair’ — it is the key event where fashion meets business during Paris Fashion Week. Whilst catwalk shows are often all about spectacle and PR, Tranoï focuses on concrete transactions and building relationships.

As an official partner of PFW, Tranoï works in collaboration with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), which means that every brand exhibiting at the event has undergone a rigorous selection process. There is no room for random exhibitors at Tranoï — this is the essence of the Contemporary & Luxury segment, and a presence at this trade fair is a mark of quality.

Networking at the Decision-Makers’ Level

Whilst fashion shows attract influencers and celebrities, Tranoï brings together key industry players. Here you’ll meet leading buyers from major department stores such as Selfridges, Galeries Lafayette and Neiman Marcus, as well as owners of multi-brand boutiques and agents looking for new brands for specific markets.

Direct Access to Products

At fashion shows, you only get to see the models’ silhouettes for a few seconds from a distance of ten metres. At Tranoï, you have the chance to interact directly with the products: you can feel the fabrics, assess the finish of a jacket’s lining and take a close look at the details that are often overlooked during shows.

What is the Tranoï trade fair like?

This event is a world apart from La Watch Party. Tranoï attendees are fashion industry professionals: buyers, designers and other industry figures who have come with clearly defined business objectives. At the trade fair, you can see new, up-and-coming brands in person, feel the fabrics and speak to representatives and owners.

It is worth noting that the finalists of the LVMH Prize are exhibiting at Tranoï, which further enhances the prestige of the event. To gain access to the trade fair, you must register and request a free entry pass.

This year’s event also featured live talks, including a presentation on ‘Anticipate Demand: Optimise Your Collection Assortment with Data’, delivered by experts from Heuritech. Attendees had the opportunity to learn how to optimise collections using artificial intelligence and how to anticipate trends up to a year in advance.

Tranoï is not just a trade fair; it is a vital platform for the fashion industry, bridging the world of style with the realities of business, and has become a key part of Paris Fashion Week.

La Watch Party and Tranoï are events that are redefining the way we view Paris Fashion Week. They bridge the fashion world with the realities of business, offering attendees not only the chance to watch the shows, but also the opportunity to make valuable contacts and discover new brands. In an era where fashion is becoming increasingly inclusive, both events are charting new directions for the industry to develop. They are not just a celebration of fashion, but also a platform for exchanging ideas, finding inspiration and shaping the future.