Paris Fashion Week Part I

Paris Fashion Week 2013-14 was in full-swing this week but due to having to personal matters I had to decline shooting backstage for a lacouture.com for the whole week which would have given me unlimited access to models, designers and stories behind the scenes.  Mid-way through fashion week however, all matters were resolved so I had a sudden urge to shoot street style photos outside the fashion shows in and around Paris. The main shows I went to were Maison Rabih Kayrouz, John Galliano, Elie Saab, Chanel, Vionnet, Miu Miu, Zadig & Voltaire and Hermes which compared to the full schedule was really just a handful. I do not know how street style photographers such as Tommy Ton and The Satorialist go weeks and weeks , day in and day out shooting for their clients. It can get pretty exhausting :) 

A highlight for me personally at the show was to bump into the pioneer of street style shooting, the ageless Bill Cunningham. The documentary they made about him is a "must-see" and takes the viewer into a person who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of passion.  True to his form, he kept a low-profile at the event and continued to do what he does best at age 81. Most fashionistas do not recognise him but they have all seen his photos.

"You see, if you don't take money they can't tell you what to do, that's the key to the whole thing." - Bill Cunningham. 

 

Here are some photos from some of the shows.

 

You can see more photos and in larger sizes on my mode79 tumblr