British Influence Shines at Paris Fashion Week

CNN Style, as an official media partner of Paris Fashion Week, provides comprehensive coverage of the event. Check out all the latest updates here.

Victoria Beckham remained unfazed by the PETA protesters who caused a disturbance during her show. She successfully concluded the fifth day of Paris Fashion Week at the prestigious Salomon de Rothschild Hotel on Friday evening.

In Paris, a British designer showcased her latest collection in front of a prestigious audience, including her family, designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, Anna Wintour, and former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld. Despite being on crutches due to a recent foot injury from working out, she made a remarkable appearance. Paris has become a second home for many British fashion enthusiasts.

At Carven, Louise Trotter, who previously worked as the creative director for Lacoste, unveiled her debut collection for the French heritage brand. Seán McGirr, an Irish-born designer trained at Central-Saint Martins, presented his first collection for Alexander McQueen, taking over from Sarah Burton. Ibrahim Kamara, the London-based editor-in-chief of "Dazed & Confused" magazine, returned to the fashion scene as the creative head of Off-White after a hiatus following the passing of founder Virgil Abloh.

Off-White creative director Ibrahim Kamara after the presentation of his debut collection for the brand.

Off-White creative director Ibrahim Kamara after the presentation of his debut collection for the brand.

Harris Reed, an Anglo-American designer, showcased his collection at Nina Ricci. He shared with CNN that his collection combined a "fine-art approach with Paris's classical way of doing things." Reed expressed his desire to "push the envelope on inclusive bodies and sexualities" and emphasized that he has always aimed to create more than just beautiful clothes.

On March 02, 2024, Sam Smith strutted down the runway at the Vivienne Westwood Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show in Paris, France. (Note: This image is for editorial use only. For non-editorial use, please seek approval from the Fashion House.)

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 02: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Sam Smith walks the runway during the Vivienne Westwood Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 02, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)

Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images

What happens when a fashion house outlives its founder?

Paris Fashion Week is known for showcasing designers from all corners of the globe, providing a unique perspective on French chic. Famous names like Karl Lagerfeld from Germany and Yohji Yamamoto from Japan have graced the event with their creative visions.

One of the most significant cultural exchanges at Paris Fashion Week is with Great Britain. Back in the 19th century, English couturier Charles Worth decided to make Paris the home of his luxury fashion empire. His innovative approach to custom-made clothing laid the foundation for modern fashion, earning him the title of the "father of haute couture."

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 23: Models walk the runway at the Versace fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 on February 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty Images)

Anglo-American designer Harris Reed is at the helm of French house Nina Ricci.

Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Irish designer Seán McGirr also made his debut for Alexander McQueen in Paris this season.

Another British designer, Louise Trotter, is creative director of Carven.

Zeppelin/Avalon/dpa/picture alliance/Sipa USA

In the 1990s, a wave of British designers made waves in Paris' fashion scene. Stella McCartney became creative director of Chloé in 1997, taking over from Lagerfeld. John Galliano led Dior from 1996 to 2011, before Alexander McQueen stepped in at Givenchy. Phoebe Philo took the helm at Chloé in 2001. Kim Jones later joined Louis Vuitton in 2011 and Dior Men in 2018. British fashion houses like Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith also made their mark in Paris at different points in their careers.

Models showcased the latest designs at the Versace fashion show during Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 on February 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. The runway was graced with stunning creations in an event filled with style and glamour. The event was captured by photographer Stefania D'Alessandro, whose images beautifully captured the essence of the show.

Here are the key trends to take note of from Milan Fashion Week.

In our current world after Brexit and the Covid pandemic, maintaining this creative communication has become increasingly difficult. With updated import rules, financing, and exporting have become more intricate. Working with European stockists and ateliers has also presented more challenges, as Serge Carreira from the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode highlighted.

"According to Carreira, London is where creativity blossoms and takes root, while Paris is the place to expand and reach a global audience once a brand is established. This progression in a British designer's career from London to Paris is a common and significant move."

Irish designer Seán McGirr also made his debut for Alexander McQueen in Paris this season.

Yanshan Zhang/Getty Images

If the number of fashion shows in London continues to decrease while the opposite trend occurs at Paris Fashion Week, where the last edition showcased over 100 shows across a nine-day event, London may start influencing the cultural fashion conversation in new ways.

According to Melody Thomas, a fashion criticism professor at Parsons Paris and the author of "La Mode est Politique," a new form of avant-garde is emerging. Off-calendar British brands like Corteiz are leading the way, indicating a shift towards a generation that prefers creative drops, collaborations, and capsules over traditional big runways. This movement is challenging the fashion system as a whole.

Some would say it’s about time, too.

Editor's P/S:

This comprehensive article offers an insightful overview of Paris Fashion Week, highlighting the significant presence and influence of British designers. The coverage captures the glamour and excitement of the event, showcasing the latest collections from renowned designers like Victoria Beckham, Louise Trotter, and Ibrahim Kamara. The article also delves into the historical and cultural significance of British designers in Paris, exploring the legacy of Charles Worth and the impact of figures like Stella McCartney and John Galliano. However, the article could benefit from further exploration of the challenges faced by British designers in navigating post-Brexit regulations and the evolving fashion landscape.

Overall, the article provides a compelling account of the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere of Paris Fashion Week, shedding light on the creative exchange between British and French fashion. It underscores the enduring influence of British designers in shaping the global fashion scene while acknowledging the potential shifts and challenges in the post-Brexit era.