trade fairs, showrooms worth visiting between shows

Paris is vibrant again with women's fashion week. In addition to the catwalk programme, Paris Fashion Week, one of the French capital's main annual events, features a host of fairs and showrooms, such as Tranoï, Première Classe and Sphère, presenting the latest collections from French brands. and international buyers and fashion lovers. FashionNetwork.com has put together a list of trade shows and showrooms worth visiting between shows.

Sphere

The Sphère showroom, managed by the French Federation of Fashion and Haute Couture (FHCM), returns to the Palais de Tokyo in Paris with a directional selection of brands.

Sphère presents the new women's ready-to-wear looks for Fall/Winter 2024-25 from six very creative brands. Austrian designer Florentina Leitner with her romantic and sustainable collection; the French designer Lucille Thièvre, with her ruffled lace dresses; The Parisian designer Alphonse Maitrepierre, with his poetic but geeky wardrobe. The other three brands are new to Sphère: Didu, the slightly subversive brand from Chinese designer Di Du; Charles de Vilmorin, the brand of the young French prodigy of the same name, which first appeared on the official fashion week calendar in 2021; and London brand Paolina Russo, part of a collaboration with Copenhagen Fashion Week.

​When: from Wednesday, February 28 to Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Where: Palais de Tokyo, 13 Avenue du Président Wilson (Paris, 16th arrondissement)

Tranoi

The Parisian fair Tranoï organizes a very international women's fashion session, since 92% of its exhibitors come from outside France. The event will be held as usual at the Palais de la Bourse, and is scheduled from February 29 to March 3.

Tranoï presents 180 labels with a genuinely multinational flavor. Peru is one of the leading countries, with 10 exhibitors such as Ana G and Amarena (the latter with its bags woven with toquilla straw) that celebrate the artisanal heritage of their country. Africa is also represented, with names such as renowned South African designer Rich Mnisi and Ivorian Lafalaise Dion. Among other exhibitors, the imprint of the British artist Simeon Farrar, specialized in cutting-edge printing techniques; the Spanish brand Mimii with its oversized accessories; and 15 brands from France, including Possery, Giorgio & Mario's sister brand, with a leather-filled and colorful wardrobe produced entirely in Paris, and designer Armine Ohanyan with her techno-haute couture looks.

​When: Thursday, February 29 to Sunday, March 3, 2024
Where: ​Palais Brongniart, 16 Place de la Bourse (Paris, 2nd arrondissement)

Saudi Arabia 100 brands

Emerging designers from Saudi Arabia are present in Paris during women's fashion week at the Saudi 100 Brands showroom.

As it did last summer, this collaborative initiative promotes new Arab fashion talent and was organized for the first time in 2021 by the Saudi Arabian Fashion Commission. Among the 15 brands presented in the showroom: Ashwaq Almarshad with its airy and romantic dresses; the Abadia ethical seal, which works with local artisans; The Fallen Collection; and Charmaleena with her sophisticated jewelry.

When: Thursday, February 29 to Saturday, March 2, 2024
Where: Les Cordeliers, 15 rue de l'Ecole de Médecine (Paris, 6th arrondissement)

Premier Class

The Première Classe fair, a must-see event dedicated to fashion accessories, will host 350 exhibitors in the Tuileries Garden from March 1 to 3.

Among the French and foreign exhibitors who will present their new accessories for the Autumn/Winter 2024-25 season: the British milliner Stephen Jones with his daring dandy hats; Domestique, brand of functional and fine bags and leather goods, entirely made in Paris; and a selection of ready-to-wear brands such as Clara Daguin with her techno-inspired looks, and menswear brands Igor Dieryck from Belgium and Pierre-François Valette from France. In an extremely festive winter session, Première Classe will celebrate its 35th anniversary at Maxim's restaurant and will simultaneously celebrate the first edition of the object design exhibition Matter and Shape, which will present, among others, grunge-inspired furniture by Rick Owens and creations by French designer jewelry. Charlotte Chesnais.

When: Friday, March 1 to Monday, March 4, 2024
Where: Tuileries Garden, ​Place de la Concorde (Paris, 1st arrondissement)

Women

The Woman show (the women's equivalent of the men's event Man) will begin on March 1 at its usual location on rue de Lancry in Paris.

Woman will have around 20 women's clothing and accessories brands presenting their collections for Fall/Winter 2024-25. Among the exhibitors: New York brand Bags In Progress with its silver lamé micro totes; the contemporary wardrobe of Thessaloniki-based Greek brand Esthé, with its sheer organza blouses and jackets; the family brand Håndværk, launched 11 years ago in the US, with its wraparound knitwear; and the Japanese brand Toujours, with its jackets and tops inspired by traditional kimonos made in Japan.

When: Friday, March 1 to Sunday, March 3, 2024
Where: 14 rue de Lancry (Paris, 10th arrondissement)

Tomorrow

The Tomorrow showroom returns to Paris during women's fashion week and will take place from March 3 to 11.

Tomorrow it will host an avant-garde and contemporary selection of women's fashion brands in two locations, at 5 rue de la Boétie and at 21 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine. Among the brands: Ester Manas, led by the designer duo Balthazar Delepierre and Ester Manas, which showed its creative, poetic and inclusive collection on February 27; the Berlin brand Ottolinger, with its stylized and radical appearance; and the Parisian label Coperni, which this year celebrates its 11th anniversary, which will present one of its spectacular shows on March 4 in the French capital.

When: Sunday, March 3 to Monday, March 11, 2024
Where: 5 rue de la Boétie (Paris, 8th arrondissement) and 21 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine (11th arrondissement)