Hi everyone!
Finally, here is the last of Paris! Just in time for me to go to Milan/Como tomorrow + Friday and Verona/ Lake Garda on Sunday for more travel pictures, ha.
My last few days in Paris were going to important events that were planned out by the school: Premiere Vision which is the #1 fashion tradeshow in the world, and Trend Union-- a trend forecasting company for the industry.
Both were amazing and I feel lucky to have been able to have gone to places only for industry professionals while I'm still in college. Premiere Vision was absolutely massive...not only did they have all the fabrics and colors picked out for the coming seasons, but they have all the trims, findings, yarns, prints, graphic design, and more for you to see. I never thought it would be so big, and the picture of the booths really can't do it justice because it stretched far beyond that. I was able to walk around for a few hours and meet booth owners, but still didn't even get through all the show! We had a little presentation put on for students, as well, where I got to hear designer Orla Kiely speak about the important of the trade show.
Trend Union was that same day and we had a lecture at the headquarters about how exactly trend forecasting companies predict what will be "in" in the coming season which was interesting. Then we got to watch the Spring/Summer presentation the fashion guru of the company put together for what will be popular-- it was mind blowing and blew me out of the water. Everything was so on point with culture and what's popular, and it's like she knew what I wanted even before I knew myself. It's "top secret" information that only industry professionals are allowed to know now, so I couldn't take pictures and probably can't write about it either. But I am excited to see if these predictions come true and the take designers have of them for their collections!
On a separate day some friends and I went and saw the love lock bridge which is incredible! A lot of the bridges in Paris have these locks all over them, but I believe this is the main one. Sad, but my aunt told me Paris is planning on taking off all the locks and replacing the rails with glass so people can't do it anymore. Not sure why they would want to do this to such an important attraction and piece of Paris people love!
Another day we toured the modern art museum, The Pompiduo, which I never would have picked out for myself to go tour, but am glad we did have a chance. It was divided into contemporary art and modern art; and I just don't feel like I'm intelligent or deep enough to understand modern art ha (you know, black painted canvases or ones with a single line and such). I really enjoyed the contemporary part and that's what all the pictures are from above. It really wasn't paintings, but more so of installations which left a lasting impact on the way you think and saw things.
Finally, on the last day we had free time in the morning to do what we wanted until we were boarding the plane later that day, and I took the morning to go off by myself on a little adventure. It was hard for me to constantly be with people the whole trip...it left me feeling exhausted and just in a lot of need in down/alone time. So I managed to stumble upon a giant flea market actually which was such a treat!! It was an awesome experience to kind of 'thrift' in another country, and I managed to find special pieces. I got some vintage pins, one a camera and another a pink scooter, and also a vintage 100% silk skirt made in France for only 1 euro.
After the flea market I took the metro to the Louvre section and looked around. I didn't actually get a chance to go inside though :( It was super busy and I wanted to make sure I got back to the hostel with plenty of time so as not to miss the flight. But I did get to take pictures of the outside which was quite magnificent, as well!
Paris was wonderful and I had a great time; hoping I can go back someday to see all the things I wasn't able to. So much to see and do in the city of lights!
With much love, Lauren,
