France is a country that has been rightfully considered the trendsetter of world fashion for more than one century in a row. People for whom fashion trends along with chic and taste are not an empty phrase, first of all look at fashion from France, following all the fashionable Parisian rules. Are there any peculiarities in French fashion? Since when does the dominance of French fashion in the global fashion industry begin? These questions should be stopped and answered in detail.
French fashion history
The concept of “fashion” has been associated with France since the reign of Louis XIV, when the country, under the control of the ruling power, began to rapidly develop the industrial industry. The French royal court in this regard began to be considered a trendsetter in European fashion. Baroque fashion was made possible by the production of silk fabric and lace. Complemented by bright decorations and skillful draperies, luxurious lace and silk dresses werean attribute of pomposity and we alth.
In more recent times, French fashion has become truly revolutionary, introducing men's clothing items into women's wardrobes in the twentieth century: trousers, jackets, formal shirts and even ties. She made such a bold revolution from romanticism to modernism, forcing all women's fashion to follow a new path, known to everyone, even people far from fashion, Frenchwoman Coco Chanel.
Coco Chanel
Practically every modern woman has pants, a jacket and a little black dress in her wardrobe - Chanel's greatest creative find. No less famous fashion accessories named after her are metal jewelry and the famous quilted handbag on a chain. The same can be said for the iconic Chanel perfume.
Coco Chanel is long gone, but her business lives on, and the fashion house named after her continues to be considered one of the main houses participating in the main French fashion week in the fashion industry. Coco herself is still trying to imitate, she is quoted and inspired by her, which is completely justified, because it was this great woman who was able to so boldly and irreversibly influence the fashion of the 20th century by founding the Chanel fashion house, introducing completely new images into women's fashion. In addition to trousers and other comfortable items from the men's wardrobe, in addition to the little black dress that is universal and accessible to almost any woman, we owe it to Chanel that we owe the appearance and constant presence in fashion of small hats, tweed suits, jewelry, likeindependent fashionable and prestigious world of jewelry and even persistent tan fashion.
Dior
Another eminent French designer is Christian Dior. One of the most famous fashion designers who invented feminine dresses in the new look style and raised the concept of “French fashion” to new heights.
Women and their post-war mood, dreams and desires Dior caught all the instinct of a talented master. Parisians at that time were already tired of cropped strict skirts, trousers and almost masculine jackets, so Dior's super-feminine collection was greeted with enthusiasm and enthusiasm. Bright colors, luxurious fabrics, ankle-length skirts (puffy or straight), small rounded shoulders, tight waists - everything in this new collection screamed the charm of traditional femininity. It was a new French fashion, which soon became the world.
Yves Saint Laurent
The name of one of the leading fashion designers of the 20th century, whom Christian Dior himself chose as his successor, is forever inscribed in the history of fashion.
Many of Laurent's fashion ideas are now fashion classics. So, women's tuxedos, which struck the imagination of fashionistas, later became the brand's signature business card. It was Yves Saint Laurent who suggested actively wearing women's trouser suits, turtleneck sweaters, black leather jackets, safari-style dresses, high boots, ethnics - without all these things it is already difficult to imagine the wardrobe of a woman from any city in the world.
Of course, these are not all French fashion houses, the fashion world would not be complete without the unbearable and outrageous Gaultier, the fantasy Lacroix, the chic Pierre Cardin, the master of bags and accessories Louis Vuitton, the elegant Hubert Givenchy and many other great fashion designers.
Modern young designers
Today, the titles of “young designer” or “up-and-coming couturier” have little meaning as the fashion industry is flooded with the names of young artists who are attempting to modernize the traditional notion of ready-to-wear. Individuals succeed. For example, Olivier Roustan, who was lucky to achieve recognition in the fashion world, skillfully balancing between the traditions of the Balmain Fashion House and his own new youthful taste. Each fashion show of the Balmain brand is held to loud applause from the audience, and Western stars themselves offer friendship and cooperation to Rustan.
Another successful young French designer - Nicolas Ghesquière - until 2012 worked as art director of the Balenciaga Fashion House. Ghesquière's collections abounded in elegant silhouettes combined with geometric forms generously spiced with futuristic design. Since 2013, Nicolas Ghesquière has been the creative director of another famous brand - Louis Vuitton.
Young designer Guillaume Henri made world fashion remember the almost forgotten fashion house Carven, giving the girls a new favorite brand for them. According to rumors, this designer was madean interesting proposal to lead the next major fashion house with history - Nina Ricci.
Fashion magazines
From the second half of the distant 18th century, it was in France that the first magazines specializing in fashion and everything connected with it began to appear. At the time, French fashion magazines were single large prints that were hand-coloured with watercolors and accompanied by a description of every fashion detail.
Modern fashion glamor originated from early French fashion publications such as L'Officiel, published in Paris in 1921, the oldest of the French fashion publications, whose publication continues to this day. In 1938, this particular magazine was the first with color photographs on the pages.
In 1937, the weekly Marie-Claire appeared in France, which also came down to contemporaries. It was an innovative publication for those times, telling not only about what world and French fashion is, but also about secular and cultural events, about he alth and beauty recipes, publishing letters from readers and answers to their questions, covering other important aspects of women's life. Thus, the publication was the first of a large army of women's popular magazines.
In 1945, the French magazine Elle was introduced to readers, the main content of which was articles and photographs related to fashion. The first issues of the magazine were sold out in record time, and after a couple of decades, Elle was recognized as the most widely read magazine inworld.
Street Fashion
French style, which has already become notorious, is the taste that manifests itself in the style and choice of clothing and accessories among French fashionistas. At all times, he was distinguished by special sophistication and charm.
The proximity of the catwalks to high fashion, of course, leaves its mark, but not only this factor affects the special charm of French street fashion. A virtuoso mastery of the art of combining seemingly incongruous things, building a harmonious and unbanal image, is the basis of what is called French fashion and style. Wearing a warm coat with a thin T-shirt or a chiffon dress, as if taken out of a great-grandmother's chest, with an almost masculine tweed jacket, and seasoning the look with original accessories to taste, the French achieve a completely unique impression, showing the world the signature French look.
French women are Europeans to the marrow of their bones, most of them preach a commitment to European values and gender equality. They are independent, make a career, and this cannot but be reflected in their appearance. Usually, French women prefer light, maximally natural makeup (and often do without it), democratic brands and calm colors of clothes. In the guise of a genuine Frenchwoman, the leitmotif is slight negligence, but not slovenliness. This negligence can only be afforded by a very well-groomed woman who knows the power of her attractiveness and has an undeniable taste. The most important thing in appearanceFrench fashionistas - accessories and bijouterie. The matched set makes a casual dress an evening one. French women are not indifferent to jewelry “with history”, they love to delve into the goods of flea markets and antique shops.
How to create a French look
The main difference between the French style and others is the absence of bright colors and variegation in clothes. Women of Provence use a skillful combination of snow-white clothes with unobtrusive cream shades and black classics. So, a simple black maxi dress, combined with well-chosen jewelry and cute details, will turn a Frenchwoman into a delightful outfit for the evening.
Dresses are a special article in the wardrobe of a true Frenchwoman. Lightweight dresses and skirts can be easily integrated into a feminine, playful and at the same time sophisticated look. French women also have straight-cut skirts and tulip skirts as the quintessence of everything that French fashion has to offer.
Clothing is not everything, you can't do without accessories to create an image. Since the time of Chanel, ladies have continued to wear hats of neat shapes and soothing colors. Fedora and trilby hats will be in high demand this season.
French women prefer large but elegant bags. Baggy bags, similar to duffel bags, are unlikely to interest them. Classic shoppers for everyday wear, an interesting clutch for going out - this is the choice of a Parisian.
Long stylish necklaces were also given to us by France. But keep in mind that they are not very suitable for women with large breasts. The French style in jewelry is original jewelry made of metal and wood of noble varieties. They go with most looks.
The French are virtuosos of the art of creating interesting images. The resulting ensemble consists of many layers. It is complex and simple at the same time. Additions always work flawlessly on the image of the owner, and all together make up the mystery of eternal French charm. This charm, combined with democracy, is what makes the French style so attractive to the rest.
