I was just reading thru the interview of Joseph Altuzarra Anna dello Russo got for Interview magazine. They both agreed about how fashion has been taking a low key attitude lately. The new generation of designers, whom Altuzarra is part of, has been making itself very more accessible than the older one. Altuzarra doesn’t feel anymore as if he’s an ivory tower. He’s a regular of parties and dinner events where he gets along with his devotees and next customers.

Their talk made me think about my feeling at my first ever Couture runway show. It was Lee Jean Youn’s in Paris last July for his FW 2010 collection debut.

I started to screen him when he first came to Paris about 4 months before after having won the MFA of Mango. The award has allowed him to get himself a stronger attention and a wider audience. Why he drew my attention is because his collection wasn’t that how I’d guess Asian fashion. I mean it wasn’t heavy fabric and sultry cuts. It was all fresh air dresses, flying veils and easy cuts. Pieces I’d mix up with cheaper ones to make an easy going yet classy and feminine ensemble.

I contacted his staff to get an invite. Namie, Jean Youn’s manager, and Elsie, his PR, replied right back with such a warmness.

I spent the week before the show thinking about how would I dress up for a fashion Couture show scheduled just after the office.

A sexy mini dress.

No no. We’ll be sitting down U turn around the runway. Not comfy enough.

Black suit?? Sleek and elegant!

No, no! It’s summer. I can’t bear heavy black while I’m longing for summer colors more than 9 months in a year.

A short! … with a nice blouse.

Nope. It’s not the beach Gaelle. It’s a fashion event.

…

Dressed up with a beige pant, white fluffy blouse, killer red Menudier’s shoes, my Genten brown shoulder bag and my camera bag on the other shoulder, I arrived on July 7th in an easy going showroom. Nami cheered me up with the same kindness she kept touch with me from my first e-mail. I got around the runway and sat down whenever I was pleased to.  Hey! First in, first up. Jean Youn was throwing flowers petals on the runway, as if it wasn’t (one of) the biggest events to happen in his year. Crowd was leaking in. Bunch of girlfriends sitting in a laugh. Couples of fellow bloggers (I guess) with their camera at hand. One girl alone. Other friends joining the ones first arrived.

The mood was smiled, getting there to spend pleasant time (don’t trust the pic). It was like some of us agreed before on the dress code : day to night. It wasn’t at all what I was afraid to get into: freezing staff, cold attendees on killer heels staring at each other with the so-called Manhattan look (down, up, down and right into the eyes without saying anything … you see what I mean?). The mood was playful. It was fresh air. As the collection was. The show started.

It was wrapped up in 10 minutes. 20 minutes later of applauds, congrats, say goodbye and keeping in touch to Nami, I was in the bus to home.  I loved it. It goes too fast. As does a wedding you prep up for 1 year and that feels like it lasted 26 minutes. But all of it was fun to attend. I loved the experience. I loved that having became a fashion blogger makes me going to those parties.

How was your first runway attendance?

Hey, Wait! You might also like

• What a model wants, Chanel Iman has it
• L.A.M.B SS 2011 collection
• An interview of Lee Jean Youn

Author: Gaelle