"From Runways to Rue: A Fashion Student's Parisian Expedition"

Paris holds a special place in my heart as the epitome of style and innovation. Renowned for its haute couture houses, luxury brands, and trendsetting designers, Paris serves as the ultimate inspiration for aspiring fashion creatives like myself.

With its rich fashion heritage, avant-garde spirit, and unwavering commitment to creativity, Paris continues to shape and define the global fashion landscape, making it an essential destination for any fashion enthusiast seeking to hone their craft and expand their horizons.

Having getting to travel to Europe, Paris is definitely on the top of my bucket lists. I wonder what makes this city so famous, how is Paris, Paris?

Arriving in Paris, I was immediately struck by the unfamiliarity of my surroundings. However, as I immersed myself in the city, I was captivated by the astonishing architecture, vibrant street art, and rich cultural tapestry that Paris had to offer. Even the smallest streets and alleyways were adorned with intriguing aesthetics, unlike anything I had experienced in Asia. Paris truly left an indelible impression on me with its unique and unparalleled beauty.

Having only 2 days in Paris, certainly there’s a lot I would miss, but on the top of my list is definitely the none other Eifeel tower and Musee Des Arts Decoratifs.

Although Eifeel tower might feel a very touristy spot, its still a must-go.. why would you miss to see the iconic tower when you’re there right. If you’re lucky enough, you could even see the sparkling Eifeel tower in the dark which I did and it was magical!

Next is the Musee Des Arts Decoratifs, well this museums has an extensive collection of decorative arts from furniture, ceramics, glassware, textiles and fashion from various styles and historical periods. It’s ofcourse an amazing experience having to witness what I could only study from Google and now that I could see the books, the garments, the artworks in real-life felt surreal.

Throughout the journey inside the museum I see the evolution of design and craftsmanship that showcases both traditional techniques and avant-garde innovations. This drives me as an aspiring designer to even learn more of this intricate techniques that the Parisian definitely sees highly of. This is why, the city is renowned for its beauty, because its not only beauty from the outside aesthetics, but from the way its thoughtfully made, it’s a really meticulous process that requires skills, time and attention that is worth studying for, for the long term as a designer, to think not only from the outside but also the construction and process of it that brings the value up further. 

Ofcourse as a fashion design student, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to source for materials and fabrications to see what this city offers. Thus I was recommended by my friend to visit the famous Marche Saint Pierre, the 5 story building has an extensive range of fabrications to accessories, trimmings and anything you would need. It’s quite unfortunate that I went during the Winter season thus most fabrications they have is all winter fabrics; wool, furs, etc, which I don’t really touch on as a designer based in Asia.

On the side note, when travelling Paris. I definitely would recommend thrift shopping. I didn’t know that thrift shopping in Paris is really heavenly, the prices are much more affordable than I thought it would be, or at least more worth than the thrift shops I see in Asia.