Premire Vision

On our last full day in Paris we went to premiere vision, a textile trade show for people within the fashion industry to pick up on trends for the next year, look and feel new fabrics and components, witness colour trends for the forthcoming seasons as well as converse with manufacturers. The images on this blog have been taken from the P.V website as there were strict rules of absolutely no photography within the event.

Themes were placed around the halls to divide the space and trends, they consisted of; seduction, distinction, relax and pulsation.

SEDUCTION: The seduction universe settles into an interpretation of fluidity and fantasy that is ever more comfortable and easy thanks to softened or fluid behaviours. Silks, woollens and embroideries are washed and matt for a more casual attitude. Cottons and linens lend a fresh, natural feeling while maintaining a preciousness and refined delicacy. Semi-plain visuals target an elegant and discreet everyday, while decoration is a vector for strong expression. In total contrast to this relaxed spirit, the exceptional is accorded a favoured place, with couture-style bulky looks and excessive volume.

DISTINCTION: The distinction universe finds its voice, invoking citywear that's modern and comfortable without losing any of its elegance and mastery. Natural, artificial and synthetic fibres are precisely blended to perfect handles and behaviours. An indispensable ease is dynamically expressed through fluidity and technology. An emphasised casualness, through naturals that never come across as too nonchalant, with a linen-y vegetal handle lending a lively soulfulness to the fabrics. The refined discretion of this urban silhouette is peppered with fresh accents or intense colour, while shirtings boldly venture into multi-colours and acid details. Colour-woven patterns in suitings, knits and shirtings steer clear of standard versions and, whether semi-plain or distinctly visible, eschew halfway measures.

RELAX: The relax universe exploits all its know-how and creativity to address desires and envies now moving fashion in a more casual direction, and this is true for all items in the women's and men's wardrobes. Intermediate weights are diversified and spread out among dresses, shirtings and lightweight trousers. A search for comfort remains at the heart of developments, through the suppleness/lightness/softness trio, ingredients that combine with brio in knits and wovens. Blends of natural and man made fibres lend character to behaviours, imparting fluidity and making handles flirt with a technical or more precious spirit. Visuals, printed decorations and yarn-dyeds are softened, freshened up, or delicately dusty. The variable blues of denim impose themselves in all products.

PULSATION: The pulsation universe focuses on research into effective, practical and targeted performance features that are completely unnoticeable when worn. Even lighter and suppler, weaves and knits target comfort and well being, for hindrance-free motion for sports or an active lifestyle. Fantasy gains ground, all in summery freshness; yarn-dyes, colour and prints stand out in active sports and lingerie as well as in beachwear. There's a growing diversity to eco-friendly fabrics:organic cottons come in colours; non toxic dyes, coatings and washings are further developed; and organic and recycled naturals and synthetics are combined in 100% eco- friendly blends.

Colour charts were available to view....names given to the colour groups;

• aquatic attraction
• iced suntan
• punched up calm
• luminous darkness
• floral opulence
• artificial nature

I had very mixed views about the trend show. On the plus side, it was great to see first hand how the trade fair works, as I had heard about it previous to starting FCP. We also did manage to pick up on some menswear trends for 2010/2011 which is beneficial towards our course and there were some good visuals of which we can take inspiration from.

However, there were many negatives too. Whilst we are on fashion course, we do not design clothes, and I know of few students who are focused on trends within the early stages of design which is predominately what the fair offered. Whilst we went on a student day which meant it was much quieter than the previous days, it also meant that everyone knew that we were students resulting in many people being unwilling to talk to us and also packing away their sections early.

There was a definite limit to the relevance for the trip to PV as it is there for clients to make orders and creative and business decisions. We were not allowed to take any photos and we were even told of on one or two occasions for even taking notes. The large propotion of my notes that I did take, I later found out have been published online.

Another negative to the day was that it was poorly organised. Being in a trade hall, not making orders, not taking photos for 7 and a half hours was absolutely ridiculous and everyones enthusiasm for it dropped radically. It was really dissappointing that we had to spend far too long in a place where the information was limited adn people were unfriendly on our last day in Paris. All in all a very long day and limited research achieved.

High Fashion

Finding Colette, the concept store was on the top of our things to do so we found it on our map and headed there first thing. When we found it, it was far more descreet that I had expected. The store was absolutely beautifully well thought out. On entry there were art, fashion, graphic and current trend books piled up on a table. I was then drawn to the back of the store which had a wall of the latest fashion, art and graphic magazines from around the world and on the opposite wall, current 'cool' CD's were lined up with sets of headphones for people to listen to the latest tracks. Set in cabinets in this back area of the store was clearly the mens favourite spot, filled with high tech, on trend gadgets. My attention was straight was drawn to the beautiful selection of leica cameras for sale, including the 'minex', which is a tiny version of the classic camera...maybe a friend for my diana mini?! not at those prices unfortuantely. other gadgets included huge, trendy headphones, speakers, watches, ipods, unique USB's and more...at the front of the store by the window was a selection of lomography cameras, so I was happy to see my diana mini being sold there along with the classice holgas and fisheye cameras.

also on this level of the store was the menswear collection. It was nice, but the only thing which really stood out for me was a collection with 'where the wild things are' print on it. The clothes were hing on rails in a little glass compartment to separate them from the rest of the store.

Up the stairs surfboards were hung from the walls portraying a 'cool' image. On the first floor was the womanswear collection. The clothes were beautifully displayed, hung on mannequins in full outfits. Erdem was in the windows of the store and featured heavily within the collection. The Erdem collection was mainly a floral print in purples and blues, into dresses and playsuits, all ready for sping and summer. These looked very cool, and most importantly they were displayed to make them look very accessible and wearable teamed up with denim jackets and more casual items.

After spending quite a while in Colette we decided to cross the park and go to le louvre. The glass pyramid looked quite extraordinary against the vast old building. We wondered around the gallery, of course not missing the famous Mona Lisa..which was a little disappointing (of course) as there were huge crowds of tourists around it's positioning, a rope at least a couple of meters from the painting cordoning us off and the painting itself being incased in glass.

After a quick baguette and chocolate tart we went to find the Pompidou Gallery.

I had seen the Pompidou in school textbooks, but never had been before and it is such an odd building. Enormous and placed in the middle of a traditional square, with the tubular lift scaling the side of it. Inside was a hu

ge space, with signs lit up with dotted white lights. A contemporary feel from the moment we were inside, I immediately felt more at home than in le louvre. once again, it was free as we were students which was a bonus and always makes it that much more enjoyable.

A huge variety of modern art work from paintings to product design to film to graphic editorial pieces.

This was my favourite of all the galleries that we went to, we were in in there for hours trying to soak it all up.

At the top of the Pompidou we had an amazing panoramic view of Paris at night. Absolutely beautiful- there was a terrace and restaurant up there and thought how it was a shame that it wasn't summer for us to spend longer out there.

Once we were finally ready to leave the Pompidou we were pretty exhausted but pushed ourselves to visit printemps-a departmental store as we were aware that we were running out of our time in Paris. Hopped on a metro and found it in no time. I knew that there was an Alice in Wonderland window theme however, when we got there they were far more impressive than I had expected and the theme ran into the store with a mad hatter-esque tea party area with images from the tim burton film which is coming out this march. A checkered floor, a giant teapot hanging from the ceiling and the walls lined with old books and colour related products, it was really wuite special. The windows line the entire one side of the store, containing alice in wonderland themes and inspired clothes from the legendary story.

once again, shattered from a long day.

Many an Art Gallery

We began our day by heading back towards palais de tokyo again as a couple of the girls hadn't taken photos when we went the first time and it was also in the area of museé bacarrat which we were scheduled to go to. after photo taking, we saw that there was a great market so we headed into that which was a nice shelter from the snow which was pouring from the icy skies. the market was filled with all sorts, but predominately food such as crepes, cheeses, cold meats, fish chickens on spits, bread and baked goods...there were also some flowers being sold and some clothing and jewellery items.

We then headed to the YSL foundation, where we saw the exhibition -'les derniers maharajas', which displayed rare and b beautiful Indian clothing.

postcards and printed ephemera was bought then we headed for a hot chocolate.

From there we headed to the museé bacarrat which i didn't know much about before we got there but turned out to be quite beautiful. it was a museum space showing glass and crystal goods over the last few hundred years. it was amazing to see such old glass which was so intricately made and designed in such good condition.

There was also a restaurant within the museum which was beautifully decorated; raw brick walls, clean white linen on the tables and these magnificent chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. it had a lovely mice of old and new

which gave quite a cool look.

We then worked our way to the champs elyseé. having been here before, and really not enjoying the touristy, busy feel to it along with it being bitterly cold, Jo and I went off to find Colette...but failed with lack of address so decided to head to the d'Orsay. Warm, and in the stunning surroundings of the d'Orsay, a converted railway station we looked around the gallery seeing some famous art work by artists such as Van Gogh, Derrain and Renoir. We stayed here until it shut before we headed home, tired after a long day.

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Versailles

The next morning we were up bright and early to find that it had been snowing over night. We all piled on the coach and headed to the Chateua de Versailles. It took us a little longer than it should have due to travelling in rush hour and the snow, but we reached Versailles. The bus driver, Jim got a little lost and ended up driving all around the Palace, however this was quite nice as we got to see the entire grounds, all beautifully covered in snow. We made our way in, and having been told that it was going to cost €25, it was a bonus to find out that it was free for students.

Huge and extravagantly decorated, it was quite a sight and venture to walk around. we worked our way through the many many rooms, including the well known 'Hall of Mirrors' which consists of many chandelier and mirrors along a vast corridor, looking over the gardens.

Details which stood out were the elaborately decorated ceilings, with rich colours and gold to show wealth and the golden fixtures on the old wood...this

in particular reminded me of the current shabby chic look.

After a quick lunch, we set out into the gardens. This gave us great perspective of just how big the building was. The gardens looked beautiful in the snow, but it was just too cold to wander around and appreciate fully.

Back on the coach and Morgaine gave us some info on the Palace of Versailles of the fashion trends, the way of life and some history of the family which was really interesting. After that, we watched Marie-Antoinette, 2006 film starring Kirsten Dunst, set and about Versailles and the life of the Queen before the French Revolution.

We arrived back at the hotel mid afternoon so head back into Paris and went to find Palais de Tokyo...a contemporary art gallery. We found it, but unfortunately there were no exhibitions as it was being refurbished in preparation for an opening later on in the week however it did have an amazing gift shop with so many magazine. Next to it was the modern art gallery and saw some great work.

We could see the Eiffel Tower for the first time from here, so crossed the river and headed towards it. We walked under it and to a cute area with lots of traditional bars and restaurants where a couple of us found a lovely little french bistro, filled with locals.

After that, Jo and I spontaneously headed to l'arc de triumph for some night-time snaps and a crepe. yum.

The Journey

A really long coach ride was taken to get Paris, via the eurotunnel. Leaving Nottingham at midnight and arrriving at our hotel around midday the next day. Luckily it was a night trip so most of were able to sleep a large amount of the way. when arrived at our hotel, we were all pretty disappointed that our hotel was a bulky looking building on the side of the motorway, and the surroundings didn't look a whole lot like Paris. The cold hit us when we stepped out of the coach, but we were all glad to finally have reached our destination. Quick bag drop off and off to find our way into Paris to start exploring.At first we all almost hopped on the tram as opposed to the metro, but quickly realised this and worked our way to the metro around the corner. Our stop 'Bobigny Pablo Picasso'on the oragne line....pretty far out of Paris....40 minutes out.

All very excited and eager to search the city, we worked our way in a rather large group of girls to the area of `montmartre', we were in search of a large market but couldn't seem to find exactly where it was, so wandered along the small streets, looking in a couple of little shops. Much to our horror we ran into a flasher....yes a flasher..so we hung back in a shop, waited for him to move on then carried on our trip. The large group that we were in didn't seem to be working, so we broke off into a smaller group of five. Turned a few corners and there was the sacre coeur. Up we went the many flights of stairs to discover the absolutley beautiful view of Paris.

We went into the sacre coeur..it was so peaceful and grand. The gold details in the interior of the church was amazing and the candles lit in the tranquil envirnoment was quite breath taking.

Off we went, down the cable car and carried on to wander through the streets.

By this time we were all pretty tired and cold so we headed to the area of Bastille to find a restaurant. Food accompanied by a Chocolat Chaud, and a moment to soak in the fact that we were in Paris.

Packing for Paris

Here are my essentials for Paris...topshop coat, long warm with bog hood and big pockets, snood scarf and leather gloves. Goddess guide- absolute necessity for finding the quirky delights of the major cities. My diana and flash along with black and white film for those romantic Parisian shots. Brogues and Kurt Geiger man boots and lipstick to save my lips from the cold!