Fashion week in Paris is more than just an excuse to don something fabulous and appreciate wearable art: it’s a cultural phenomenon of an experience like no other.
Few events in the global fashion and style calendar carry the same weight of myth and meticulous artistry. Twice every year, the City of Lights morphs into the city of style (just kidding…Paris is ALWAYS flawlessly stylish). During fashion week, this already magnificent city transforms into what feels like an endless, seamless runway: a blank piece of paper for both citizens and visitors alike to turn into a masterpiece.
Though most of fashion week is an incredibly enjoyable blur of luxury fabrics, daring cuts, champagne, and afterparties, there’s one thing that becomes problematic: getting a flight into Charles de Gaulle or any other airport near the city. The city is, for lack of a better word, overrun with luxury travellers all looking to land as close as possible to all the action, to secure comfortable to opulent lodgings (depending on their position), a table at the best wine bar or restaurant, and a chance to lay eyes on some of the most magnificent clothing ever created. The question is…how do you manage all of that? Lucky for you, we have all the answers.
Plan Ahead…Way Ahead
One of the only ways to make sure that you get into Paris, into your hotel, and to any shows you are attending on time is to make sure that you begin the planning process early…very early. So early, in fact, that you may not even know which shows you will be invited to yet, but that’s ok because fashion week’s dates are set ahead of time, and you know you’ll be there for a full week or more. To ensure that you get the flight dates you want and accommodation fit for a king or queen, begin your planning process at least 3 months in advance.
- Next, book your flights. There is no real option other than private flights…not if you want to make it into the city and through the airport with your sanity intact. A private jet offers you what is essentially a flying hotel. The level of comfort and customization (you can set your own flight times to make sense for your own schedule, rather than the airline’s) available blows any other transport option out of the water, and the level of calm you’ll experience in-flight, and if you choose to use a private airport (private flights operate through large airports like Charles de Gaulle where there are private lounges and private check in geared for private flights, but communal spaces still abound) is unparalleled. Calm is in short supply during fashion week, so we recommend you take advantage of it where you can.
- Begin by booking your accommodation. For this, you may want to try beginning earlier than 3 months in advance, as Paris is an incredibly busy city even during the “off” season. We recommend accommodations in the heart of the city; from first-class suites to rental apartments, Paris has some truly divine options available.
- Last: wait for invitations to arrive (these are not the kind of tickets you can book) and plan your outfits accordingly. If you’re going to a Galliano show, you should wear Galliano. If you’re going to a Chanel show, Chanel and so on. Etiquette states that you should wear the garments of a designer to their own show or, at the very least, a look inspired by or in the spirit of said designer. Once you have received your invitations, plan an outfit for each show (Polaroids help, just like in the movie Clueless), get a garment bag for each look, and pack them with hangers, ready to hang. This will save a lot of time on show day and take the stress out of packing.
Make Use of Concierge Services
Most private airlines, as well as luxury hotels, offer a concierge service. You know the general idea: a very helpful and well-connected member of staff who is able to find entertainment, get a table at the last minute (hopefully), and let you in on all the hidden gems a city has to offer. If you are not French or don’t spend a lot of time in Paris as a rule, this will be particularly helpful as you won’t have a deep understanding of the city and its treasures. A concierge service will help you curate events and experiences (other than the runway shows, of course) that will suit you and fit into the time you have available.
And Last, But Not Least…
While this isn’t necessarily a tip that will get you there on time, it is one that will make your time in Paris more enjoyable. Fashion week is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that happens to take place each year. If you’re blessed enough to get to go, plan to arrive before the festivities begin and stay a little while after they’re over to enjoy a slightly more serene version of Paris. Plan on leisurely, long lunches, plan on visiting prestigious exhibitions, and plan on shopping. In short, plan to splurge a little! Because it’s fashion week and because you deserve it.
