French singer Aya Nakamura sang. Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid rode horses. While Venus and Serena Williams and Katy Perry modeled on the stones. It was Paris’ Place Vendome as never seen before.
On International Olympic Day, Vogue World organised an Olympic-themed show-cum-spectacle on the final day of Paris Fashion Week’s menswear collections.
The rare event blended athleticism, French fashion and the pure, unadulterated gaiety of the last century – marking 100 years since the last Olympics in Paris in 1924. The event also commemorates June 23, 1894, the day the founder of the modern Olympics, French magnate Pierre de Coubertin, founded the International Olympic Committee.
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Sierra walks the runway during Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Photo Credit: Victor Boyko
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Kendall Jenner walks the runway during Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Photo Credit: Pascal Le Segretain
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Katy Perry walks the runway during Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Photo Credit: Marc Piasecki
Here are some highlights of the Sunday collection:
Showcasing different sports, different eras and styles, this extravaganza of a high-octane collection felt like a sophisticated Broadway musical, with amazing fabrics, at sunset at the magnificent Place Vendome in Paris.
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: FKA Twigs performs during Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Photo Credit: Pascal Le Segretain
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Bad Bunny performs during Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Photo credit: Christy Sparrow
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Devin Garcia walks the runway during Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Photo Credit: Marc Piasecki
After paying tribute to the New York Street Fair in 2022 and London’s theater scene in 2023, for the third Vogue World event, the show synced up with the Paris Games – celebrating all things French and runway-related. Fashion designs were showcased against a backdrop of tap dancing, waiters holding red wine and even models holding baguettes.
Over the course of a century, each decade was associated with a designer and style era. The 20s were the era of cycling and white coats from designers like Chanel and Schiaparelli. The 30s were the era of “track and field” by Balenciaga. The 40s, the era that gave the world the bikini, had the era of “aquatics” by Jacquemus. The 50s featured “equestrian” style through the prism of the decade-defining New Look by Dior. The 60s were the era of fencing by Courreges.
By the time Givenchy-driven “gymnastics” was invented in the ’70s, some journalists had completely forgotten to take notes, lost as they were in the heady spectacle of the choreographed spectacle on the picturesque plaza, whose star-studded front row, including Pharrell Williams, was also competing with the stars who were walking on the sidewalk.
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Serena Williams walks the runway during Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Photo Credit: Marc Piasecki
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Venus Williams walks the runway during Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris | Photo Credit: Marc Piasecki
The 80s focused on martial arts and the 90s on soccer, with a reinterpretation of the late icon Azzedine Alaïa’s tricolor costume. People applauded when the Williams sisters arrived for the “tennis” section, Venus in a bold figure-hugging mermaid dress and Serena in a warrior-like black, utilitarian split gown.
The closing ceremony featured breakdancing. The atmosphere was electric, marking an unofficial start to the Paris Games, which run from July 26 to August 11.
Under the high ceilings of the historic La Poste du Louvre – Paris’ most emblematic Haussmannian post office that was recently renovated – Japanese IT-brand Sacai presented its latest collection. Designer Chitose Abe, famous for her approach to “hybridization”, continued to combine different elements into single, eye-catching pieces, making them look like one thing from the front and another thing from the back.
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Chitose Abe attends Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris, France | Photo Credit: Pascal Le Segretain
The twists were evident throughout the show. Pleats – as seen on white, red carpet tuxedo shirts – were creatively reimagined as billowing white floppy tubular skirts and white boho toggle tops. In dark colours, these off-kilter styles gave off a preppy look, complemented by shiny leather loafers. Indeed, preppy and military details – Abe’s signature – were on full display in the funky collection. White shirts, thick-rimmed glasses and pinstripes ticked the preppy box; while chunky rounded shoulders and thick layering ticked the military.
The collection also showcased Abe’s knack for blending tradition and modernity. Denim, colourful patterns and huggable knits offered a welcome touch of softness against the hard-lined silhouettes.
In an age of email and growing environmental awareness, the fashion industry’s age-old system of invitations has remained largely untouched.
Each season, petrol-guzzling couriers crisscross Paris, individually delivering elaborate, often hand-made show invitations. Top fashion houses compete for the most imaginative and unique ideas, which often hint at the theme of the runway collection.
TOPSHOT – American rapper, artist and fashion designer Pharrell Williams poses during a photocall as he arrives to attend the Spring/Summer 2025 Menswear Ready to Wear joint fashion show organised by Vogue World as part of Paris Fashion Week, ahead of the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, at Place Vendome in Paris on June 23, 2024. (Photo by Geoffroy van der Hasselt / AFP) | Photo credit: Geoffroy van der Hasselt
Pharrell Williams had Louis Vuitton embossed Apple AirTags for his UNESCO show, reminiscent of royal mint souvenirs. Loewe’s invitation came in the form of a giant coloured leather square pocket, too big for any traditional letterbox. Dior Men’s opted for a leather pencil case, topped with a sketch by the collection’s referenced artist and ceramicist, Hylton Nell. In contrast, Vogue World embraced eco-friendliness with a simple QR code sent via email.
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: (L-R) Tom Sturridge, Alexa Chung, Alexis Roche, John Galliano, Anna Wintour, Pharrell Williams, Helen Williams, Delphine Arnault and Xavier Niel during Vogue World: Paris at Place Vendome on June 23, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images for Vogue) | Photo Credit: Marc Piasecki
Madame Wu of Wooyangmi is renowned for her blend of Parisian – or European – elegance and Korean cultural heritage. The South Korean designer’s creations blend traditional elements of her homeland with a contemporary, open-minded approach to culture. On Sunday, her show was proof of that.
Leather derby shoes were paired effortlessly with cropped Renaissance lace pants adorned with traditional decorative neck beads.
Other looks masterfully combine the rugged charm of the American Wild West with details such as embellished belts and perforated long coats, reminiscent of fashion-forward leather hides.
Madame Wu often transforms utilitarian basics into luxurious, tactile masterpieces, as seen in her past collections, including a deep blue velvet chore coat and a finely brushed suede uniform jacket.
On Sunday, shredded black leather biker pants and baseball tops emblazoned with the Wooyangmei logo ensured that, despite the rich cultural references, eclecticism was the name of the game this spring.
