On June 23, 2024, Vogue World made a grand return, this time taking over the iconic Place Vendôme in Paris. The event celebrated fashion, sports, and culture in a spectacular evening filled with runway shows, musical performances, athletic demonstrations, and more. The third installment of Vogue’s annual showcase kicked off Haute Couture Week and honored both French fashion history and the upcoming Summer 2024 Olympics in Paris. Here’s a detailed recap of the event’s highlights:
Vogue World’s annual tour arrived in Paris on the eve of Haute Couture Week, celebrating the city’s rich heritage in fashion, culture, arts, and sports. Held at the historically significant Place Vendôme, the event marked the square’s first-ever runway show. Vogue World: Paris looked back at the last century of French fashion, decade by decade, highlighting its connections to various sports.
The show commenced with a promenade featuring athletes from various disciplines and couturiers from renowned fashion houses, including Armani Privé, Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, Giambattista Valli, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maison Margiela, and Schiaparelli. This opening act set the tone for an evening in which fashion and sports seamlessly intertwined.
1920s: Cycling by Chanel
Cyclists from the French National Team sped by as models showcased Chanel dresses, including recreations of Gabrielle Chanel’s 1924 collection and more recent designs inspired by early Chanel. This segment celebrated the elegance and simplicity of 1920s fashion, paired with the energy of cycling.
1930s: Track and Field by Balenciaga
Models in creations by Balenciaga’s Demna paid homage to Cristóbal Balenciaga’s arrival in Paris in 1937. The segment featured track stars in race-worthy looks, celebrating the streamlined and modern aesthetics of the 1930s.
1940s: Aquatics by Jacquemus
Jacquemus’s poolside-ready pieces winked at the 1940s, the decade that introduced the bikini. Models and athletes, including swimming legends, showcased the era’s swimwear innovations and the relaxed yet chic style of the time.
1950s: Equestrian by Dior and Hermès
Inspired by Victorian riding habits, Dior’s New Look dominated this segment. Five Dior Bar Suits were presented, followed by Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner riding into the Place Vendôme on horseback, both models and stallions fully outfitted in Hermès.
1960s: Fencing by Courrèges and Paco Rabanne
André Courrèges and Paco Rabanne’s futuristic designs were celebrated in this segment. Models wore contemporary pieces by Courrèges’s Nicolas Di Felice and Rabanne’s Julien Dossena, drawing parallels between the pristine uniforms of fencers and the sleek, modernist fashion of the 1960s.
1970s: Gymnastics by Givenchy
Givenchy’s flowing capes and leotards took center stage, reminiscent of the 1973 Battle of Versailles fashion show. Supermodels and superstars wore 1970s-inspired looks that captured the era’s glamorous and liberated spirit.
1980s: Martial Arts by Saint Laurent and Japanese Designers
The power dressing of Saint Laurent and the conceptual creations of Japanese designers like Junya Watanabe, Comme des Garçons, and Noir Kei Ninomiya were highlighted. Models and martial arts masters showcased the bold and innovative fashion of the 1980s.
1990s: Football by Alaïa
The 1990s segment honored France’s historic World Cup win in 1998. Football legends and models wore Pieter Mulier’s reinterpretation of Azzedine Alaïa’s iconic tricolor dress, celebrating the intersection of sports and fashion in this dynamic decade.
2000s: Tennis by Louis Vuitton, Off-White, and Marine Serre
The Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, graced the runway in Off-White and Marine Serre, respectively. This segment also featured a retrospective of Nicolas Ghesquière’s decade at Louis Vuitton, showcasing key looks from each year of his tenure.
2010s: Breakdancing by Louis Vuitton Men’s, Loewe, Off-White, and Nike
The 2010s came alive with a breakdance flashmob featuring the French National Team and top dancers. Models wore pieces from Louis Vuitton Mens by Pharrell Williams, Loewe, Off-White, and Nike, capturing the energetic and diverse fashion of the decade.
Finale: A Celebration of Fashion Through the Decades
The grand finale saw all the models return to the runway, showcasing empowering fashion trends from each decade. The segment highlighted the evolution of fashion and its enduring impact on culture and society.
Event Highlights
The event featured an impressive roster of celebrities and performers, including Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner on horseback, FKA Twigs, Maluma, Sabrina Carpenter, Serena and Venus Williams, Teyana Taylor, Ciara, and Katy Perry. Cara Delevingne hosted the livestream in an elaborate Jean Paul Gaultier by Simone Rocha outfit. One of the night’s highlights was retired French sprinter Marie-José Pérec closing the show in a red, white, and blue French flag-inspired dress.
Vogue World: Paris was more than a fashion show; it transformed into a concert with performances from Aya Nakamura and Bad Bunny. The evening was a fusion of high fashion and vibrant entertainment.
The Run-Through hosts spoke with Vogue’s creative editorial director, Mark Guiducci, stylists Carine Roitfeld and Ib Kamara, and fashion historian Alexandre Samson about the event’s vision. The show paired sports like cycling, tennis, and horseback riding with decades of French fashion, curated with precision by the team.
Vogue World 2024 in Paris was a celebration of fashion, sports, and culture, kicking off Haute Couture Week with flair. The event left attendees and viewers mesmerized, promising even more excitement for next year’s showcase.
