Paris

Paris is the most fascinating and amazing city on earth.  The fashion capital of the world and the city for lovers offers a full range of activities sure to please anyone.  The romance associated in many of the sights make this city well worth the visit.

The Eiffel Tower

            Seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, especially when it sparkles is a magical experience.  This massive structure which is the symbol of France is breathtaking day and night.  The enormity of the architecture is unbelievable, and going to the top at night to look over the city is incredible.  There is something very romantic about this experience; no wonder Paris is the city of love.

Eiffel Tower

 

Monet’s Garden

            Located in Giverny, Monet’s Garden is a must see.  The variety of the flowers is impressive, and all of the colors are beautiful to see.  Visitors are free to walk around the garden at their leisure and can experience a stunning view of the pond while walking around Monet’s house.  Inside the house, one will find popular paintings hanging in several rooms.  Standing in this artist’s home and viewing his art and flowers is amazing. 

 

Versailles    

            The Versailles Palace is another beautiful destination for visitors.  Once the home of Marie Antoinette, Versailles is charming.  The Palace is very detailed and the ceilings incorporate fantasy like features.  By looking out the windows, one can see the beautiful gardens which surround the palace.  The gardens are numerous and hold flowers and ponds.  Further back, visitors can explore the Austrian Village which was crafter especially for Marie Antoinette.  The Village is beautiful and given the historic insight is a very romantic place.

Ceilings inside the palace

 

Austrian Village 

 

Fashion Week

Shows

Fashion Week in Paris is a blast!  Seeing next season’s fashion is important and exciting for fashionistas.  By attending fashion shows, one can determine the colors, silhouettes, and garments that will be popular in the near future.  This year’s Gareth Pugh show was dominated by black and white stripes.  The show was very dramatic and included cages and stiff structured pieces; outfits very fitting for Lady Gaga.  Watching the show is very different from being a dresser backstage at these shows.  Everything was chaotic behind the scenes at the Manish Arora show.  Dresses were asked to help with last minute touch ups of the garments and dressing the models for dress rehearsal.  Each dresser was responsible for several looks and changing the garments in between struts was very intense.  The clothes modeled were gorgeous.  Mixing metallics and neons made this collection fresh and sophisticated.  Arora’s collection includes bird inspired looks, shiny metallics, sequins, and spikes.  The garments were very feminine and bright.  Other shows which required students to dress models includes: Rick Owens and Amaya Arzuaga.  The Rick Owens’ fashion show was sensational.  The collection embraced the color white and the designer used very avant-garde silhouettes.  Owens’ is known for his gothic avant-garde pieces and his popularity has increased within the last few years.  Strongly differing from Rick Owens, Amaya Arzuaga used pastel colors and feminine silhouettes.  Transparency and fan like pleats were very popular among the designs. 

Amaya Arzuaga Model

Rick Owens Showroom

            Rick Owens hired Paris American Academy students to work in his showroom this year.  The students were required to work from 8:00 until 8:30 doing a variety of tasks.  One of the responsibilities included being in charge of the accessories room.  This student was responsible for guarding the merchandise and organizing the presentation of accessories as each client came in to view the collection.  Another responsibility included working backstage with the models.  Students help dress the model in the outfits that the buyers asked to see on a model, and return the clothing to the sales floor.  Working long hours in the showroom was less than glamorous but a great opportunity for everyone who was able to participate.    

Conclusion

            Home to fashion and love, France is a fabulous country.  The capital has breathtaking sights, and traveling outside Paris is easy.  Outside Paris, there is a variety of tourist destinations well worth experiencing.  The fashion is top notch and going to important shows and events is a one of a kind type experience.