Paris, the city of lights and fashion, hosted the fashion event of the year – the third edition of Vogue World, on Sunday, June 23, 2024, coinciding with International Olympic Day.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Curated by Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, this highly anticipated event was an unforgettable celebration of fashion and sport. The event occurred at the historic Place Vendôme, surrounded by haute couture ateliers, in the heart of the 1st arrondissement. Anna Wintour described the event:
“If Vogue World: New York was a street fair, and Vogue World: London was a glamorous night at the theatre – supporting arts and cultural organizations in London – Paris was a kind of opening ceremony; one that celebrated 100 years of fashion and sport, as well as this extraordinary city.”
Image courtesy: Vogue
The event celebrated 100 years of French fashion, with the French ‘tricolore’ – blue, white, and red – filling the Place Vendôme. Vogue World: Paris featured 188 athletes, 151 models, 70 dancers, and a 40-piece orchestra in a performance that began at the Ritz and ended with 20 international breakdancers taking over the entire Place Vendôme.
Vogue described the theme of the night as:
“The evolution of style over the last century, with each decade of fashion paired with a different sport: the Roaring Twenties with cycling (in the Jazz Age, bicycles were seen as a symbol of the speed, freedom, and mobility that defined the period); the elegant midcentury gowns of the ’50s with all things equine; the leotard- and lycra-obsessed ’70s with gymnastics; the ’90s, aka the WAG era, with football”
Image courtesy: Vogue
Elevating the theme further, Vogue World: Paris featured a rare collaboration where iconic French fashion houses showcased their designs side by side. This included Balenciaga, Balmain, Chanel, Courrèges, Dior, Fursac, Givenchy, Hermès, Jacquemus, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lacoste, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Marine Serre, Rabanne, and Saint Laurent.
Anticipation was high to see which A-listers would attend this glamorous event and who would perform. The guest list was the ultimate blend of celebrities, fashion icons, and sports figures, including Pharrell Williams, Simon Porte Jacquemus, Dries Van Noten, Diane von Fürstenberg, Stefon Diggs, Alexa Chung, Maria Sharapova, Emma Chamberlain, and more. Performances came from Bad Bunny and Aya Nakamura.
Image courtesy: Vogue France
Here are just some of the highlights that were not to be missed. . .
In a tribute to haute couture and fashion, Vogue honored the masters behind the art itself. Dozens of artisans, wearing their traditional white coats, entered the square before taking front-row seats for the evening’s performance. Among the fashion houses they represented were Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maison Margiela, and Schiaparelli.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Naturally, Gabrielle Chanel was the heart and soul of the 1920s act of Vogue World. A former resident of Place Vendôme, Chanel’s influence on the decade’s fashion was a fitting tribute. Famously debuting the little black dress in 1924, models walked the runway in recreations of designs from that very collection.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Blonde bombshell and woman of the moment, Sabrina Carpenter, made her runway debut during the ’40s act, making a splash in 1940s swimwear designed by Jacquemus.
Image courtesy: Vogue
In the grand finale of the 1950s-inspired act, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner took the reins, entering the Place Vendôme on horseback, dressed head to hoof in Hermès for the occasion.
Image courtesy: Vogue
An iconic moment in the 1990s act saw Anok Yai make a statement in custom Azzedine Alaïa by Pieter Mulier, breathing new life into an iconic look. In 1989, Alaïa designed the famous tricolore dress that American opera singer Jessye Norman wore at Place de la Concorde in Paris.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams celebrated both tennis and 10 years of Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton during the 2000s act. Beyond a parade of looks from Ghesquière’s decade at the helm of LV, Serena honored Virgil Abloh by wearing a dress by Ib Kamara for Off-White.
Image courtesy: Vogue
For her final lap around the Place Vendôme at Vogue World 2024 in Paris, Gigi Hadid traded her Hermès attire for a show-stopping Balmain dress.
Image courtesy: @vogueitalia
Who was behind the event? Fashion icons Carine Roitfeld, Ib Kamara, and Alexandre Samson orchestrated Vogue World: Paris. Meanwhile, the renowned Dame Pat McGrath led the make-up design, and Parris Goebel, famed for her work with Rihanna, oversaw artistic direction and choreography. The global livestream was directed by Sam Wrench, known for his work on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film.
With its blend of high fashion, athletic excellence, and star-studded performances, Vogue World Paris 2024 proved to be a gold-medal-worthy event.
- Anna McWhirter posted 6 months ago
- last edited 6 months ago
