See what the industry’s top fashion buyers wore during the latest Paris Fashion Week

By Isabella Logue

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Paris buzzes each Fashion Week as celebrities and industry professionals run amuck in the city to witness the latest collections from iconic brands and top designers. As front-row attendees and eye-catching runway pieces make headlines, the decisions that determine the trends of tomorrow are being made behind closed doors.

During this past fashion week, I had the opportunity to assist in a showroom for a luxury brand under the LVMH umbrella. For those unfamiliar, a showroom is a presentation of a brand’s latest collection for prospective buyers looking for pieces to resell in their stores across the globe. The showroom I worked for was visited by buyers from a number of international stores, some of which included Net-A-Porter, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods, Nordstrom, Galeries Lafayette, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman.

With a job that yields such power, I was curious to see what garments these high-level buyers wore themselves. As these decision-makers determined what items would soon be sold in the world’s most influential stores, I took note of stand-out and recurring wardrobe pieces. After all, the fashion industry’s future trends are decided months in advance within the showroom walls. Buyers have already determined what you will be wearing tomorrow, so let me share what they are wearing today…

Guest In Residence

One of the scarves I noticed a buyer wearing sported the label Guest In Residence. This luxury cashmere brand was founded in 2022 in New York by top model Gigi Hadid. As per their official website, their mission is to “create future heirlooms—knitwear designed to last years, not seasons.” Throughout my week in the showroom, one of the top points of conversations between clients and sellers was garment material. The quality of clothing has largely declined since the widespread boom of fast fashion over the past decade. Gigi Hadid has worked in the fashion industry since she was two years old, so it makes sense that she is passionate and knowledgeable about well-made pieces. Whether or not you choose to purchase from Guest In Residence, it is apparent that becoming more aware of and particular about your clothing’s fabric is the key to curating a long-lasting wardrobe.

Levi’s

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Arguably the most iconic denim brand in history, Levi’s will always be a classic. Though the brand originally designed its jeans for the blue-collar workers of the California gold mines in the 1850s, Levi’s have truly withstood the test of time and transcended all levels of age, wealth, and gender. After over 150 years in business, Levi’s are still regularly worn by those from all walks of life, including the fashion industry’s top professionals. It may not come as a surprise, but Levi’s continues to be a staple, in both fashion and practicality. If you’re looking to create a capsule wardrobe, Levi’s is the way to go.

Fendi Baguette Bag

Spotted on the shoulder of one fashion buyer was a metallic Fendi baguette bag that immediately demanded onlookers’ attention. Perhaps related to the resurgence of the “quality over quantity” mindset in mainstream media, there has also been a vintage-revival. In recent years, many celebrities have been paparazzied on red carpets sporting archival garments and accessories. Many of today’s top designers also look to the past for inspiration for new collections. It’s no surprise that several vintage bags were worn by Paris Fashion Week attendees. This particular bag, a silver Fendi baguette, was the focal point of the buyers’ ensemble, turning their otherwise ordinary outfits into ones that left an impression.

Trenches on Trenches

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Have you truly been to Paris if you haven’t seen a trench coat in the wild? If one thing is true about Parisians, it’s that they love a good trench—even in the summer. This fact was further proven during this past Fashion Week by an overwhelming number of showroom clients.

Black leather, tan canvas, gray wool, red cashmere—you name it, I saw it. No one has ever claimed that fashion doesn’t discriminate, but when it comes to trench coats, they love them all. Like Levi’s, a quality trench coat is an investment that you may want to consider because they’ll always be in style.

Cheetah Everything

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Animal print is a trend that just keeps coming back. You either love it or hate it, but the predictors of tomorrow’s trends seem to have confirmed that funky animal patterns are here to stay. Throughout the week-long showroom, I spotted cheetah print in varying forms, including on denim, a particularly daring trench coat, and a pair of the highly sought-after Wales Bonner x Adidas Samba sneakers. Cheetah print has been a constant favorite among celebrities and the masses alike, but the same can’t quite be said about other animal prints. Next year could introduce a brand new animal print craze, but if the showroom attendees are any indication, cheetah is the way to go.

Tabis

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Maison Margiela’s iconic tabi shoes first debuted in 1988 as part of the first-ever collection from the avant-garde Belgian brand. Now, nearly 40 years later, they remain a prominent shoe amongst the fashion elite. You can hardly go a day without spotting the unmistakable hooves taking on the streets of Paris. They may not be for everyone, but they undeniably command an opinion from onlookers—they are not a passive piece, and that is precisely the point. Whether in the form of a boot, loafer, or ballerina, it is safe to say that the whimsically eccentric shoe will remain on the feet of fashion’s top players next season.

Chunky eyewear

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With the rise of internet trends like the “office siren” (think Giselle Bündchen in The Devil Wears Prada), eyeglasses have been deemed chic and sexy, appearing at the forefront of fashion in recent seasons. Miu Miu has been a leading advocate for skinny glasses, deeming them high fashion-approved. However, the thin frames that skew more towards subtlety may be on their way out. Based on the personal tastes of numerous fashion buyers that I spotted, it looks as though chunky styles are taking center stage. Thick and funky frames were sported in the form of both traditional eyeglasses and sunglasses. “The Bigger The Better,” may just be the motto of the upcoming season.

Large-And-In-Charge Balenciaga Bag

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While I didn’t note every handbag I spotted throughout the week, I couldn’t help but include this particular Balenciaga bag. Sold for a whopping €4500, this handbag, officially called the “Bel Air Carry All,” immediately captured my attention. Its simple black calfskin leather and silver hardware nearly make it forgettable, but its large size and subtle utility details give it an edgy flair. While this particular bag may not make headlines, the shape and style (signatures of the rising “messy chic” aesthetic) are undeniably on their way to being at the forefront of mainstream trends.

Jewelry Over Sleeves

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One of my favorite trends worn amongst showroom attendees was the intentional layering of chunky jewelry over the top of long shirt sleeves. It was a choice that was decidedly calculated and perfectly executed, resulting in a chic touch on an otherwise simple outfit. Over the past year, Tiffany’s “Bone Cuff” by Elsa Peretti made a comeback over 50 years after its initial release in 1970. The metallic molding is meant to envision femininity in a revolutionary way (according to their official website). This bracelet decorated the wrist of the buyer I spotted, but any chunky cuff can deliver the same style.

Only time will tell which items will be on top of the trending charts in the coming months, but if the people making those decisions are wearing any hints as to what’s to come, then you may want to dust off your old Levis, invest in a trench coat and oversized handbag, and start getting funkier with your accessories because it seems as though our staple pieces are here to stay while eccentric is moving in!

What the Fashion Trendsetters of Tomorrow Are Wearing Today