Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Culture

Paris vs. London: which is the real fashion capital?


Walking down the trinket-laden streets of Paris, sitting amongst the fountains and flowers of its gardens, it does not matter where you are in the city; you will find yourself admiring the Parisians’ style. The chic combination of tailored city shorts and silk pashminas instantly captures any fashionista’s eye. It is a different world of garments and accesories than I, myself, am used to, having grown up in the arms of the British high street, with its love for layering and eclectic fabric choices. But as two of the leading capitals in fashion, it leads to the question: is it Paris or London who claims victory in the fight for the fashion crown?

When thinking of fashion in Paris, images of Chanel’s tailored suit and little black dress come to mind and it seems that Parisians still subconsciously honour the innovative designer. Today you will find an array of colours, yet still emulating the simple elegance of Chanel, proving that she really did revolutionise fashion. As gorgeous women in fitted pencil dresses and nude court shoes pass me by, I feel the presence of their sophistication, compared to my patterned leggings and layered tops and necklaces. I love my kooky style that portrays the rebellious character of the British high street, but a certain tastefully luxe aura created by Parisian chicness is also enchanting.

British fashion displays the history and life of the nation in various designs; a blended fusion of tartan, chunky knits and studded boots. It is relaxed one day and art-deco the next, which is something all London fashionistas embrace. Even I have fallen pray to resorting to leggings and a slouchy jumper after a heavy night, passing it off as a tribute to punk culture, but in Paris, that grunge style seems impossible when you are surrounded by the soft tones of coral and the graceful perfection of flowing pleated skirts and pearls.

Experiencing British fashion first-hand at February’s London Fashion Week, next-door to King’s, I saw designers exhibit outfits on the catwalk that would soon be seen on the likes of Kate Moss and Alexa Chung, ensuring the whole of London would be envious of these alternative but stylish creations. The most memorable aspects of Paris Fashion Week 2013 were the displays of elegance at Dior and Vanessa Bruno, revealing next week’s outfits of Carla Bruni and Audrey Tatou. Obviously Alice Temperley showcased monochrome shift dresses and pastel coloured jumpsuits in London and no one is a stranger to the futuristic designs of the French designer, Balmain, however I feel that previously, I have been blind to the differences in British and Parisian fashion.

Two different cities canvas their takes on the mode of today but is one really more stylish than the other? Diversity across country and culture is a fascinating thing but in this case, I feel that Paris will be sharing the reign of fashion royalty with their British counterpart, as both, in my opinion, possess an equally receptive eye for style.

[polldaddy poll=”7322142″]

/home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/html-layout.php on line 17
" data-author-type="
Warning: Undefined array key "type" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/html-layout.php on line 18
" data-author-archived="
Warning: Undefined array key "archived" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/html-layout.php on line 19
">
/home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/html-layout.php on line 39

Warning: Undefined array key "id" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/html-layout.php on line 39
-"
Warning: Undefined array key "archive" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/html-layout.php on line 40
itemscope itemid="" itemtype="https://schema.org/Person" >

Warning: Undefined array key "img" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-avatar.php on line 4

Warning: Undefined array key "show_social_web" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-socialmedia.php on line 6

Warning: Undefined array key "show_social_mail" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-socialmedia.php on line 7

Warning: Undefined array key "show_social_phone" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-socialmedia.php on line 8

Warning: Undefined array key "type" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-name.php on line 17

Warning: Undefined array key "type" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-name.php on line 19

Warning: Undefined array key "type" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-name.php on line 21

Warning: Undefined array key "archive" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-name.php on line 37

Warning: Undefined array key "name" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-name.php on line 41

Warning: Undefined array key "job" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-meta.php on line 10

Warning: Undefined array key "job" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-meta.php on line 15

Warning: Undefined array key "company" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-meta.php on line 17

Warning: Undefined array key "phone" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-meta.php on line 26

Warning: Undefined array key "mail" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-meta.php on line 36

Warning: Undefined array key "web" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-meta.php on line 46

Warning: Undefined array key "bio" in /home/roarnews/public_html/wp-content/plugins/molongui-authorship/views/author-box/parts/html-bio.php on line 8

Latest

KCLSU & Societies

During a channel crossing event in late February, six King’s College London (KCL) students formed the majority of a crew rescued by the French...

News

Chairman Lord Geidt was found to have broken lobbying rules following an investigation by the House of Lords Commissioners for Standards. The chairman of...

Culture

After the runaway success of their last production, staged inside the majestic baroque settings of the Strand Chapel, King’s College London Opera Society is...

Creative Corner

Creative Corner is a space to share your creative writing at Roar! We hope you enjoy this poem written by May Zaben Calloused fingers...

Comment

News Editor Daisy Eastlake looks into the British accent divide and what it means for social mobility within the UK. Like many university students,...

Comment

Comment Editor Samuel Pennifold on the UK Government’s decision to go ahead with the easing of all Covid-19 restrictions on July 19. The UK’s...

Comment

Roar writer Elsie Todd on the importance of our gut and its health. I always thought that our general wellbeing was mostly down to...

Comment

Comment Editor Samuel Pennifold on the recent anti-lockdown protests.  The most recent anti-lockdown protest in the UK raises an interesting question, how do we react to...

News

Students wanting to live in King’s accommodation during the academic year 2021/22 will have to pay a rent pre-payment to secure their rooms. The...