Paris, Capital of Fashion

Parisienne Fashion at FIT

The Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology currently has a fantastic exhibition titled Paris, Capital of Fashion which showcases ensembles and accessories from the 18th century until today, taking visitors on the interesting journey, from impact of the court at Versailles to the emergence of haute couture, the post-war golden age of Paris and globalization, that firmly established the French capital as a fashion capital. 

According to FIT's website "the history of Paris fashion is usually presented, simplistically, as a genealogy of genius, dominated by 'the great designers', 'kings', or 'dictators of fashion' but the exhibition goes further by exploring "the cultural construction of Paris as the capital of fashion".  Paris, more so that London, Milan and New York, continues to be the city to which ambitious designers head to learn about fashion and show their work. 

The exhibition has several stand-out pieces from iconic designers including Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel, Jacques Fath and Madame Gres as well as opulent gowns from the 18th century.