On Saturday, I will be leaving home, to embark on a short trip to France, ‘Le Mans’ to be precise! So, I thought, as I haven’t been doing any articles recently, and I’m going there, maybe I should do a post on French Fashion? Oui…
Lets start from WW2. During the war, many French fashion houses were shut down, like, Maison Vionnet and Maison Chanel. As Germany took over most of what France produced, including Fashion, Germany took France’s haute couture, over to cities like Berlin and Vienna. During times like this, Fashion shows still went on, but with only around 75 models, shortened amount of time for evening wear, and lighter material being used on day wear. From around 1940, only 4 meters of material was used to make a Coat, and 1 meter for a blouse. With older Fashion houses closing, the only way Women could show there personality through their clothing was through a Hat. These Hats were made from old scraps of coloured materials, and sometimes, even Wood chippings!
A Fashion Show in 1947
After the war had ended, French Fashion started bigger, and better! (See above) Christian Dior, brought in a famous collection, ‘New Look’ in 1947. The collection included dresses full of colour, and skinny waists, for the French women to slip into, and feel good in. From then on, French Fashion was bigger than ever. With Elle, being founded in 1945, and in 1952, Chanel returned to Paris!
In the 1960s French Fashion became more manufactured and more ‘prêt-à-porter‘. Yves Saint Lauren came out with new collections, which were far more casual than just after the war. Since the 1960s, France’s Fashion industry, are now in competition with other countries; Britain, America, Germany, Italy etc.
I hope I come back from France with lots of Photos, so I can share my very short trip – 2 days! – with you all!
