Welcome to the Vogue Fashion Night Out

We are two months into the New Year and February marks the return of one of the most anticipated events on the fashion calendar, none other than the world renowned, bi-annual Fashion Week (February & September). A number of highly esteemed fashion designers, brands and houses are set to showcase their Fall/Winter collections and the latest trends in a series of mesmerising runway shows across the world’s 4 most fashionable cities. With the events kick-starting in New York on the 6th February 2014, Fashion Week will travel the globe across to London, Milan and lastly to Paris to close the show, as the birthplace of haute couture, the home to iconic brands Vuitton, Hermès and Dior, and the true, or rather véritable fashion capital.

The bad news, whilst celebrities, publicists, fashion photographers, journalists and buyers, and an exclusive group of prestigious clientele, may be readily offered a seat, Fashion Week is strictly invitation-only. Instead, the public can gain access to different catwalk shows, interviews, special broadcasts and other features via ParisFashionWeekLIVE.com. But don’t feel downhearted! There lies another wonderful event mid the September set of shows, perfect for when you arrive to begin your internship, study placement or work as a language assistant. Get your hands on a ticket to the Vogue Fashion Night Out! And even better, entirely for free!

5 years running, VFNO is a fun, vibrant event sponsored by leading fashion publication, Vogue magazine. Around 100 of Paris’s luxury, designer stores, running from the glamorous Palais Royale to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, will open their doors to ticket holders to shop and browse the new collections. They will also offer an array of exciting activities such as live music, DJ sets, make up tutorials, hair stations, cocktails and champagne, candy floss and toffee apples and goody bags with perfume samples, to add to the animated and energetic atmosphere! Some of the participating fashion houses last year, 2013, included French classics, Lanvin and Givenchy, British designer, Stella McCartney, high street brand, Zara, and beauty and cosmetics companies, Sephora, L’Oréal and Kiehl’s.

The most extravagant chandelier I have ever seen, at Roberto Cavalli.

I attended VFNO on September 17th 2013, just two weeks after I had moved to Paris to study at La Sorbonne. Acquiring a ticket was easy. I simply purchased a copy of the September issue of Vogue, for standard retail value, €4.90, from the nearest Relay, a magazine shop in Paris. The magazine was displayed in a transparent pack. This also held the invitation, a second smaller magazine detailing the agenda and the location, and a cute, Vogue, sports-jersey style t-shirt as a souvenir.

Mais attention! This offer was intended solely for Paris residents meaning that this particular package was made only available for purchase within arrondissements 1 to 20, excluding the suburbs, tsk.

Although I still have four months in Paris left to go, this night remains a highlight in my year abroad experience. It is a must for the fashion enthusiast Paris newcomer for September 2014! So check it out along with my other article on Paris nightlife, and my personal blog to learn even more about life in the city of style!

*Fashion Week takes place biannually in February and September. Paris Vogue Fashion Night Out is held with the September shows.