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Why You Shouldn't Trust Paris Fashion Week Anymore

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Why You Shouldn't Trust Paris Fashion Week Anymore

Alright, let's talk about something thats been bugging more and more people lately,paris Fashion week.

once the holy grail of glam and trendsetting, its starting to feel...

well, kind of fake.

yeah, the runways still look incredible, and celebs show up in jaw-dropping outfits, but theres a lot happening behind the scenes that doesnt sit right anymore.

From the waste left behind after each show to the performative "we care about the planet" talk that doesnt go anywhere, its all getting a bit too much.

if you've been side-eyeing fashion weeks lately, you're not alone.

let's break it down and see why trust in Paris fashion Week just isnt what it used to be.


Table of Contents


1. Is Sustainability Just a Buzzword Here?

1. Is Sustainability Just a Buzzword Here? - Why You Shouldn't Trust Paris Fashion Week Anymore

Let's be real,every major fashion house is shouting about "sustainability" these days, but what does that even mean anymore?

with Paris fashion Week, it often feels more like a trendy label than an actual promise.

  1. You'll see brands launch "eco" lines but still churn out dozens of new pieces every season.

    That's not how sustainability works.

  2. most of the time, theres no transparency,no one's really showing how the clothes are made, where the materials come from, or who's making them.

  3. Even the packaging used at shows and behind the scenes?

    Tons of its still plastic and not even recyclable.

  4. The fashion week industry itself depends on flying in hundreds of people from around the world.

    Not exactly climate-friendly.

  5. a few designers are trying, but its drowned out by the flashier, less ethical giants.

  6. "Green" collections often still rely on fossil-fuel-based fabrics like recycled polyester,better, but not great.

  7. it's more about looking good on instagram than making meaningful change.

quick table: sustainable vs performative brands

brand TypeWhat They Saywhat they Do (Really)
truly Sustainableshow sourcing, use organic or upcycled materialslimit production, fair labor
greenwashedbuzzwords, no detailsMass production, unclear supply chain


2. How Much Waste Do These Shows Really Create?

2. How Much Waste Do These Shows Really Create? - Why You Shouldn't Trust Paris Fashion Week Anymore

we love a gorgeous runway, but have you ever wondered what happens after the show?

Spoiler: It's not great.

  1. Elaborate sets that take days to build are often dismantled within hours,and most of it ends up in dumpsters.

  2. Some shows use real grass, water features, fake snow,just for 10 minutes of aesthetic.

    Then toss it.

  3. Clothes made just for the show sometime never get worn again.

    That's a lot of fabric for a one-time walk.

  4. Invite-only events mean loads of printed materials and merch that quickly become trash.

  5. gift bags filled with throwaway items dont help either.

    Cute?

    yes.

    wasteful?

    Also yes.

  6. the carbon footprint from shipping samples, looks, and staff back and forth is massive.

  7. The industry could totally reuse and recycle set pieces,but often, it doesnt bother.

List of common Waste Sources from fashion weeks

  • Runway sets (wood, fabric, props)

  • guest merch and promo items

  • Printed programs and invites

  • excess fabric and unsold sample garments



3. Is It Feeding Into Fast Fashion and Overconsumption?

3. Is It Feeding Into Fast Fashion and Overconsumption? - Why You Shouldn't Trust Paris Fashion Week Anymore

Fashion week used to be about forecasting trends for the next season.

Now?

It's all about getting people to buy right now.

  1. Social media pushes runway looks before the show even ends,people want it immediately.

  2. "see now, buy now" models encourage impulse shopping, not thoughtful choices.

  3. Fast fashion brands copy designer pieces within days.

    the speed is wild.

  4. Consumers end up buying trendy items that are "in" for like three weeks, then gone.

  5. it encourages that constant need for something new, even when the old stuff is still good.

  6. designers face pressure to constantly outdo themselves, leading to quantity over quality.

  7. The cycle never slows down,paris fashion Week helps fuel it big time.

quick table: traditional vs modern fashion week impact

Elementtraditional modelmodern Trend cycle
timelineSeasonal, slowInstant, fast-paced
Shopping urgencyDelayed releaseimmediate gratification
consumer mindsetCurated & plannedreactive & impulsive


4. Is Inclusivity Still Just a Surface Thing?

4. Is Inclusivity Still Just a Surface Thing? - Why You Shouldn't Trust Paris Fashion Week Anymore

representation has come a long way, but when it comes to Paris fashion Week, its still got a long way to go.

  1. You'll see a few diverse faces on the runway, but it often feels like tokenism.

  2. size inclusivity?

    Still super rare.

    Most models are straight-sized and ultra-thin.

  3. disability inclusion?

    Almost nonexistent in major runway shows.

  4. There's also thessue of cultural appropriation,designs inspired by cultures without credit or context.

  5. Many brands still feature mostly white models in leading roles.

  6. The behind-the-scenes teams,designers, makeup artists, directors,aren't always diverse either.

  7. when inclusivity does happen, its often for a publicity moment, not real change.



5. Has It Become More About Celebrities Than Fashion?

5. Has It Become More About Celebrities Than Fashion? - Why You Shouldn't Trust Paris Fashion Week Anymore

Let's be honest,people talk more about who attended the shows than what was actually shown.

  1. red carpet-style entrances for celebs get more media coverage than the collections.

  2. Brands sometimes choose influencers and celebs for front rows over actual fashion editors.

  3. Viral tikToks from famous guests can overshadow the entire runway.

  4. Some celebrities even "walk" in shows just for publicity, regardless of fashion experience.

  5. Designers often dress celebs in dramatic outfits that don't reflect the collection's vibe at all.

  6. Media outlets cover "celebrity looks" more than designer innovation.

  7. It's turning into entertainment, not artistry.

list: Common celeb Appearances that distract From fashion

  • influencers doing runway reactions

  • Front row selfies taking over coverage

  • Viral interviews stealing the spotlight



6. Are Scandals and Drama Outshining the Clothes?

6. Are Scandals and Drama Outshining the Clothes? - Why You Shouldn't Trust Paris Fashion Week Anymore

Lately, paris Fashion week seems like a magnet for controversy,and not the good kind.

  1. From racist designs to offensive statements, designers have faced backlash over and over.

  2. some luxury houses have had major labor abuse allegations behind the scenes.

  3. Designers' personal scandals often grab headlines more than their actual work.

  4. pR stunts backfire and leave a bad taste,remember when a certain brand tried to "shock" with fake blood and guts?

  5. shows get called out for cultural insensitivity and lack of awareness.

  6. some brands flat-out ignore backlash and keep doing the same thing.

  7. with so much drama, its hard to even focus on the fashion anymore.



Look, Paris fashion Week still has some incredible moments.

There are designers doing thoughtful, creative, and meaningful work.

But the glitz is getting harder to enjoy when you know what's behind the curtain.

it's okay to love fashion and still question the machine behind it.

maybe the future of style isn't in these mega-events but in something smaller, more honest, more human.

Until then, take the glitter with a grain of salt,and maybe skip the hype altogether.



Sources and References

  • The Business of Fashion

  • Vogue Business

  • Fashion Revolution Reports

  • The Guardian: Fashion and Sustainability

  • BOF Voices 2024 Panel Discussions

  • Dazed Digital Interviews with Models & Activists

  • Diet Prada (Instagram Watchdog)

  • New York Times: Fashion Ethics Articles

  • Fashion Transparency Index by Fashion Revolution

  • YouTube: Behind the Scenes at Fashion Week Vlogs



Images Sources and Attributions

All images used within this page have been sourced from popular Instagram posts. If your image has been included here and you want attribution, then reach out to us.




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