Traveling the world of fashion: Paris, je t'aime
Fashionistas pick the City of Light as the style capital of the world
As the holidays quickly approach, my head is filled with fantasy vacations instead of study notes. Although I dream of white sandy beaches and cocktails with little umbrellas, I would much prefer to visit cities with serious fashion credentials. (For study purposes, of course; to make up for my lack of cramming for finals!) With the help of some fashion friends, I have come up with the top 10 fashion cities in the world.
1. PARIS, FRANCE — What a shock, right? Majority ruled when it came to the number one fashion city in the world and nearly everyone agreed Paris tops it all. Best known for couture and impossibly chic collections, Paris never disappoints. However, I partially believe half the reason everyone thinks Paris is so fashionable is because Paris thinks it's so fashionable; attitude is everything. I think we could all learn a thing or two from these wine loving frenchies and walk tall with our noses just a little bit higher.
2. MILAN, ITALY — The best city in the world for ready-to-wear, Milan defines sexy and classic Italian style brands like Diesel and Dolce & Gabbana have been made famous for. Smooth leather, clean lines and body skimming silhouettes are key points in Milan based designs and it's no wonder people scramble for garments designed here.
3. NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — What kind of list would this be without New York? The shopping is endless, the stores range from Gucci to vintage to one-of-a-kind boutiques, the fashion oriented schools trump practically every other institution in the world and graduates can almost count on becoming famous, and, furthermore, they have the Upper East Side. Enough said.
4. BERLIN, GERMANY — Berlin is well known as a fashion capital within Europe, but not so much over here. Why? We'll never know. What we do know is why it has such good credibility in its home continent. Berlin boasts some of the best arts schools in Europe, and clearly, the creativity flows into the fashion industry, too. Famed designer Vivienne Westwood even taught at the Berlin School of Arts for a period of time. The city reflects its openness to upcoming and unique designers and the people benefit from it by always looking stylish.
5. LONDON, ENGLAND — London was definitely the number one fashion city in the 1960's with their shift dresses, miniskirts, mod makeup and Twiggy. Today, London is keen on street wear and casual style, but with a classy edge. Bright colours, slim silhouettes and fun make up and accessories keep this city on the list.
6. TOKYO, JAPAN — It is quite fitting that there are approximately 23 sections of Tokyo as their style can vary so much. Perhaps the most outrageously dressed city in the world, the people of Tokyo love to play dress up. Gothic-Lolita is one section of the city and it is popular to dress Victorian style and doll — like. The Harajuku district is more punk and for a younger crowd. Shibuya is the trendiest part of the city and offers up to the minute designs. Whatever your taste, Tokyo has something for you; just don't be afraid to dress on the wild side.
7. MELBOURNE, AUSTRAILIA — Many of us aren't aware of fashion in Australia because it's like, a million miles away. This so called “land down under” has some pretty spectacular fashions, though. Sass & Bide, my absolute favourite Australian label, creates obscure and sexy pieces that are easy to wear but hard to find. More demure than our fashions, Australians look sophisticated and stylish.
8. ST. TROPEZ, FRANCE — Ok, so this one is kind of iffy, only because it's not the people who live in St. Tropez, but the ones who vacation there. The rich and super fashionable people of the world looove this chi-chi town on France's south coast; it's the ultimate “see and be seen” place. Over the top glamour and outrageously expensive everything are frequent sights in St. Tropez and it would not be uncommon to see a bikini stitched with 18 karat gold and Birkin for a beach bag. Designer shops and five star restaurants line the street of St. Tropez and if you can't afford to arrive by a private jet, you probably wouldn't appreciate the fashion and shopping of this high profile city.
9. MONTRÉAL, CANADA — Sorry, Toronto. Although Montréal is the smaller and lesser known Canadian city internationally, it's definitely more stylish than the bigger, more populated city: Toronto defines urban chic and is getting played out with its Queen West crowd rocking Wayfarers, big scarves and everything Urban Outfitters; Montréal's defining style has a European influence and high heels, trench coats and berets are a more common sight. Montréal: 1. Toronto: 0.
10. BARCELONA, SPAIN — Forget California, Barcelona has the beachy-chic look down. Super long wavy hair is a must when dressing Barcelona — style; it parallels the easy going approach to dress. Although dress code is fitted tank tops and Miss Sixty jeans, their look says more polished and less sloppy than the typical SoCal surfer girl. Accessories are also key, but are kept to a minimum and used more for accent than statement. Throw on a chic scarf and you got it.
As the holidays quickly approach, my head is filled with fantasy vacations instead of study notes. Although I dream of white sandy beaches and cocktails with little umbrellas, I would much prefer to visit cities with serious fashion credentials. (For study purposes, of course; to make up for my lack of cramming for finals!) With the help of some fashion friends, I have come up with the top 10 fashion cities in the world.
1. PARIS, FRANCE — What a shock, right? Majority ruled when it came to the number one fashion city in the world and nearly everyone agreed Paris tops it all. Best known for couture and impossibly chic collections, Paris never disappoints. However, I partially believe half the reason everyone thinks Paris is so fashionable is because Paris thinks it's so fashionable; attitude is everything. I think we could all learn a thing or two from these wine loving frenchies and walk tall with our noses just a little bit higher.
2. MILAN, ITALY — The best city in the world for ready-to-wear, Milan defines sexy and classic Italian style brands like Diesel and Dolce & Gabbana have been made famous for. Smooth leather, clean lines and body skimming silhouettes are key points in Milan based designs and it's no wonder people scramble for garments designed here.
3. NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — What kind of list would this be without New York? The shopping is endless, the stores range from Gucci to vintage to one-of-a-kind boutiques, the fashion oriented schools trump practically every other institution in the world and graduates can almost count on becoming famous, and, furthermore, they have the Upper East Side. Enough said.
4. BERLIN, GERMANY — Berlin is well known as a fashion capital within Europe, but not so much over here. Why? We'll never know. What we do know is why it has such good credibility in its home continent. Berlin boasts some of the best arts schools in Europe, and clearly, the creativity flows into the fashion industry, too. Famed designer Vivienne Westwood even taught at the Berlin School of Arts for a period of time. The city reflects its openness to upcoming and unique designers and the people benefit from it by always looking stylish.
5. LONDON, ENGLAND — London was definitely the number one fashion city in the 1960's with their shift dresses, miniskirts, mod makeup and Twiggy. Today, London is keen on street wear and casual style, but with a classy edge. Bright colours, slim silhouettes and fun make up and accessories keep this city on the list.
6. TOKYO, JAPAN — It is quite fitting that there are approximately 23 sections of Tokyo as their style can vary so much. Perhaps the most outrageously dressed city in the world, the people of Tokyo love to play dress up. Gothic-Lolita is one section of the city and it is popular to dress Victorian style and doll — like. The Harajuku district is more punk and for a younger crowd. Shibuya is the trendiest part of the city and offers up to the minute designs. Whatever your taste, Tokyo has something for you; just don't be afraid to dress on the wild side.
7. MELBOURNE, AUSTRAILIA — Many of us aren't aware of fashion in Australia because it's like, a million miles away. This so called “land down under” has some pretty spectacular fashions, though. Sass & Bide, my absolute favourite Australian label, creates obscure and sexy pieces that are easy to wear but hard to find. More demure than our fashions, Australians look sophisticated and stylish.
8. ST. TROPEZ, FRANCE — Ok, so this one is kind of iffy, only because it's not the people who live in St. Tropez, but the ones who vacation there. The rich and super fashionable people of the world looove this chi-chi town on France's south coast; it's the ultimate “see and be seen” place. Over the top glamour and outrageously expensive everything are frequent sights in St. Tropez and it would not be uncommon to see a bikini stitched with 18 karat gold and Birkin for a beach bag. Designer shops and five star restaurants line the street of St. Tropez and if you can't afford to arrive by a private jet, you probably wouldn't appreciate the fashion and shopping of this high profile city.
9. MONTRÉAL, CANADA — Sorry, Toronto. Although Montréal is the smaller and lesser known Canadian city internationally, it's definitely more stylish than the bigger, more populated city: Toronto defines urban chic and is getting played out with its Queen West crowd rocking Wayfarers, big scarves and everything Urban Outfitters; Montréal's defining style has a European influence and high heels, trench coats and berets are a more common sight. Montréal: 1. Toronto: 0.
10. BARCELONA, SPAIN — Forget California, Barcelona has the beachy-chic look down. Super long wavy hair is a must when dressing Barcelona — style; it parallels the easy going approach to dress. Although dress code is fitted tank tops and Miss Sixty jeans, their look says more polished and less sloppy than the typical SoCal surfer girl. Accessories are also key, but are kept to a minimum and used more for accent than statement. Throw on a chic scarf and you got it.
