As the fashion tour continues its upward descent onto some of the world’s trendsetting capital cities for fashion and style, Paris is the latest transit on this epic journey. We take a sneak peek of the designers, the trends, the guests and the shows as the capitol of fashion takes centre-stage once again.

[divider]Lights, Camera, Action[/divider]

And the line up for the hotly anticipated show kicks off as such….Lanvin on Thursday, Dior on Friday, Jean Paul Gaultier on Saturday, Céline and Chloé on Sunday, Stella McCartney and Saint Laurent on Monday, Chanel on Tuesday and Louis Vuitton on Wednesday. Need I say more? Certainly the capital city of fashion, love and romance boasts an impressive line up, that would be hard to surpass. And from what we witnessed in New York, London and Milan – expect a hefty helping of colour and print, a flashback to the 70s and the return of femininity is all on the cards and our love affair with sports luxe and fabulous flats all here to stay.

Dior has a new venue, the Cour Carrée at the Louvre, formerly Louis Vuitton’s show space, Lanvin a new catwalk star – none other than Audrey Hepburn’s granddaughter Emma Ferrer who is set to make her catwalk debut on Thursday and Stella McCartney, well some not-so-new fabrics, but instead, recycled materials inspired from her recent Green Carpet Collection seen last week in London.

[divider]The Designers[/divider]

As we eagerly await to see how Nicolas Ghesquière follows up his impressive debut collection for Louis Vuitton will marvelling at the exciting fresh talent and new creative blood from designers including Simon Porte Jacquemus and Julien David we also reluctantly bid sad farewell to Paris veteran Jean Paul Gaultier. After nearly 40 years of ready-to-wear, his SS15 show on Saturday will be his final, as he turns his attention to haute couture, fragrances and collaborations. Speaking of his new venture, Monsieur Gaultier said, ‘This is a new beginning, I will be able to express again my creativity fully and without constraints.’ We look forward to a new era of fashion’s ‘enfant terrible’.

Following his hailed catwalk show last week in London for his namesake brand, this week in Paris David Koma will present his first catwalk show as Creative Director of Thierry Mugler. The British based designer is hoping to renew the Mugler woman. “You think of her as a strong woman,” he explains. “We want to keep that, but make her more modern, human, more ready-to-wear than haute couture.”

French designer Roland Mouret is continously expanding his repertoire and gaining a rather strong following. He has already collaborated with Banan Republic, has his eyes set on opening his first store in New York City in October and has taken on the role of a judge on the French’s version of Project Runway – Project Fashion. The mini series will conclude at Paris Fashion Week, with a catwalk show at the Beaux-Arts where the three finalists will showcase their collections and the winner will be announced.

[divider]The Spotlight[/divider]

Paris is home to some seriously stylish pillows. The reopening of the recently renovated Plaza Athénée on Avenue Montaigne, the new style soaked star on the block – Peninsula Paris on Avenue Kléber in the 16th arrondissement and the brand new Hotel Indigo Opera which opens on 22nd.

When it comes to catching a bite pre or post show, the fashion darlings will be heading to Paris’ latest culinary delight La Belle Époque. This super chic bistro is both scrumptious and stylish and perfectly placed between Le Palais Royal and the opera. Or for that sweet tooth fix, there is no better place than Dessance on Rue des Archives in the 3rd arrondissement, which serves desserts and desserts only.

PARIS FASHION WEEK SCHEDULE

Wednesday, September 24th

2 PM EST – Balenciaga

Thursday, September 25th

5 AM EST – Carven
10 AM EST – Barbara Bui

Friday, September 26th

8:30 AM EST – Dior
12:30 PM EST – Maison Martin Margiela

Sunday, September 28th

10 AM EST – Chloe
11 AM EST – John Galliano

Monday, September 29th

10 AM EST – Elie Saab

Tuesday, September 30th

8:30 AM EST – Valentino

Wednesday, October 1st

4 AM EST – Louis Vuitton
8 AM EST – Miu Miu

Hamyar

In-House Editor

To say Hamyar has traveled would be something of an understatement. His passion for travelling has taken him from Tanzania to Dubai and an enviable number of places between, and the memories he captures always make for interesting reading. As well as travel, other subjects which fall into his expert remit include culture, design, fashion and cars - in other words, a born globetrotting who is destined for great things if his aspirations so far are anything to go by.