On June 23, Paris hosted the third edition of the Vogue World, themed around the French history of fashion and sports. Here’s everything you need to know about VOGUE World: Paris!
The Place Vendôme, which sits in the first arrondissement of Paris, France, is one of the most beautiful neoclassical squares in the city. It is home to many high-end fashion and jewellery houses such as Dior, Chanel and Cartier, as well as luxe hotels like the Ritz.
Anna Wintour, Vogue’s Global Editorial Director and Condé Nast Chief Content Officer, transformed Place Vendôme into a grand spectacle just like VOGUE World’s earlier editions in New York (2022) and London (2023). The glamorous evening of VOGUE World: Paris, a perfect blend of couture and sports, came ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, honouring and celebrating the 100 years since the last Paris Olympics in 1924. The event also concluded the Paris Fashion Week 2024.
Earlier this year, Anna Wintour commented on the journey of VOGUE World, “If Vogue World: New York was a street fair and Vogue World: London was a glamorous night at the theatre—supporting arts and cultural organisations in London—Paris will be a kind of opening ceremony; one that celebrates 100 years of fashion and sport as well as this extraordinary city.”
For those of us who don’t know, VOGUE World is not just any fashion show or a red-carpet event. What started off as a live editorial fashion show on the 130th anniversary of Vogue in 2022, has, in fact, become one of the biggest supporters of performing arts organisations. The Parisian edition of VOGUE World focused its philanthropic efforts on ‘youth athletic academies’ across France and featured sports such as cycling, gymnastics, tennis, tracks and fencing. A part of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the humanitarian organisation Secours Populaire, which helps facilitate access to essential equipment for young, aspiring athletes across France.
With the theme ‘100 years of French fashion and sport,’ the event flaunted contemporary and historical French designers, presenting collections from the 1920s to today. The idea was brought to life through 180 looks on more than 150 models and, of course, celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Kendell Jenner, Katie Perry, Sabrina Carpenter, Maria Sharapova, Aya Nakamura, Philippine Leroy Beaulieu and many many more.
Louis Vuitton Menswear’s artistic director, Pharrell Williams, highlighted the event’s spotlight on French style: “Vogue World: Paris will showcase the best of what is truly French style; both what we see on our runways and what appears on our avenues and boulevards.” And he was right!
La Ville Lumière edition of VOGUE World spotlighted iconic French brands, each decade from the 1920s onward, paired with a corresponding athletic endeavour for that particular section of the show. These sections together culminated in an exotic fusion of style and sport – cycling from the ’20s, tracks and field from the ’30s, water sports from the ’40s, equestrian from the ‘50s, fencing from the ‘60s and gymnastics from the ‘70s were among the highlights.
As the curtain fell on this grand event, Vogue World continued to redefine the intersection of fashion, culture, and philanthropy, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.