What is Vogue Paris?
Vogue World Paris celebrated the century-long relationship between athletics and fashion by associating each decade with a specific sport. The showcased looks were from French designers and those who debut their collections in Paris. This event redefined the fashion landscape by taking it out of the traditional catwalk setting and into the streets, creating a dynamic, moving exhibition. Fashion curator Alexandre Samson played a key role in perfecting the event, sharing the team’s mood board and inspirations.
Notable Performances:
Sabrina Carpenter Dancing in Retro-Style Swimwear is Something We didn’t Know we Needed
On June 23rd, the “Please Please Please” singer made a cameo appearance during the segment celebrating 1940s aquatic sports. In Act II, Sabrina Carpenter graced the Vogue World runway in a custom Jacquemus outfit. Styled by Carine Roitfeld, the ensemble drew inspiration from Brigitte Bardot’s beachy style. Carpenter donned a swimsuit-inspired dress featuring two tones of nautical red and white stripes, complemented by an Old Hollywood-style headscarf. Men on either side of her waved billowing blue fabric to mimic ocean waves around her.
Sabrina Carpenter Performance at Vogue World Paris
Carpenter’s striking look was not only fresh and perfect for the upcoming summer season, but it also paid homage to the retro swimwear she recently wore in her “Espresso” music video. On the Vogue World runway, she reminded everyone that she’s set to dominate this summer with both her music and her style.
Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid: The Hermès Equestrian Duo
During the 1950s-inspired segment, two of Vogue’s favorite horse enthusiasts, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, made a dramatic entrance at Vogue World: Paris, showcasing equestrian sports. While models strutted down the catwalk in variations of Dior’s iconic Bar jacket—reminiscent of jackets worn by show-jumping riders—and other equestrian-themed looks from designers like Balmain, Thom Browne, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maison Margiela, and more, Jenner and Hadid crossed the iconic Place Vendôme on horseback, dressed in jackets, pants, and boots from Hermès’s Fall 2024 collection.
Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid Riding Horses at Vogue World Paris
Their Andalusian horses, seven-year-old Django and nine-year-old Napo, were also outfitted by the French fashion house, sporting bright orange saddle pads, matching wraps, and blankets made of scarves. At the rehearsal, Jenner and Hadid met their mounts and learned about their backgrounds. Both horses hail from Évreux, a picturesque commune in Normandy, where they live in a barn near a cabaret called Le Manège de Tilly. Frederic Mouquet, its creator and manager, has raised and trained both horses since they were three, using them in performances once or twice a month. Their regular exposure to noise and crowds made them ideal for the fashion spectacle of Vogue World: Paris. Additionally, Valérie Chavanon, a seasoned trainer and animal coordinator who consulted for Sunday’s event, had previously worked with Napo on a Dior commercial.
Gigi Hadid Closing the Show with a Golden Balmain Look
Tasked with creating a finale dress that matched the splendor of the fashion-filled show, creative director Olivier Rousteing drew inspiration from his home country. “The first thing you’ll notice is this billowing blue skirt. I wanted the color to recall the blue of the French flag. That electric blue is also part of the house and our DNA,” he tells Vogue. “From there, you’ll notice the draped gold bustier. Armor-like in its construction, the bustier is inspired by Marianne de France, a symbol of strength from the French Revolution. Beyond that, the gold represents strength and timelessness. It also symbolizes the gold that surrounds our incredible City of Light.”
Gigi Hadid in Custom Balmain
Vogue World 2024 paid homage to the past 100 years of fashion, incorporating elements of popular French sports. For Hadid’s final lap, she swapped her tailored coat for a regal dress. This moment held special significance. “Balmain was one of the first shows [Gigi] walked in Paris in 2014 or 2015, so it feels like we’ve come full circle,” Rousteing says. “It’s amazing to see how her career has grown, witnessing her strength and dedication to fashion. Gigi is this generation’s supermodel—which, in my opinion, is akin to being an athlete—but beyond that, she is the new goddess of the fashion world. And the dress I made is one for a goddess.”
Rousteing believes his African heritage is a crucial aspect of his French identity. Representing France in Vogue World carries great significance for him. “It feels really important to me because of my mix of cultures,” he says. “I am from Bordeaux in the South of France, but I was adopted and have origins in Ethiopia and Somalia. I was born and raised in France, but I have these African roots, and it’s an honor to show that side of French culture.” The look represents more than the culmination of the last century; it is a glimpse into the future. “I feel extremely proud to be able to represent that with Vogue World: to show that I am French but from a new generation, for the modern world,” he says.
Favorite Looks:
Emma Chamberlain in Rick Owens
Cara Delevingne in Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture
Mona Patel in Stéphane Rolland
Fan Bing Bing in Ming Hua Tang Hanfu