Photos show what it's really like to attend Paris Fashion Week for the first time, and why it's not for the faint of heart

New York, Milan, London, and Paris fashion weeks are seen as the "Big Four," and up-and-coming designers clamor to showcase their latest looks. 

Women's fashion tends to take place in February and September, kicking off in New York before traveling across the pond to London, Milan, and Paris. But men's fashion showcases in January and June, and I traveled to Paris from June 20 to 25 to see this summer's lineup of designers. 

The week can be chaotic due to back-to-back shows and events in different parts of Paris. I found it most helpful to have all my outfits preplanned, so I could dress to the nines and fit in with an elevated sense of individual style. But keep in mind that you'll likely be chasing cars and trains around the city, so wear something you can move in. 

Running on low fumes is the norm to make it to everything, but the experiences are truly out of this world.

Italian fashion house Louis Vuitton, newly helmed by Pharrell Williams after the death of its late creative leader Virgil Abloh in 2021, was the crème de la crème showcase to attend. 

The show was held at Paris's oldest bridge, Pont Neuf, and Williams invited celebrity guests like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Zendaya, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Jared Leto, Tyler the Creator, and Naomi Campbell.

The showcase included Louis Vuitton's famous colorful trunks as well as block suits with Parisian landmarks printed into the fabric. The sunset was a picturesque backdrop for the show, especially since the models walked the yellow carpet wearing looks inspired by nature.

To follow the show, Williams and Jay-Z came out to do a surprise performance, and hundreds crowded the stage while other uninvited spectators watched from a good distance.

Newcomer brand Wales Bonner's "Marathon" collection was hosted in the cobblestone square at the Monnaie de Paris, or the Paris Mint.

Models strutted down the runway in colors reminiscent of the designer's Jamaican-British background.

Rhude's "Dream Within a Dream" showcase was held in the gardens at Musée Nissim de Camondo, a historic house and museum in Paris.

After the brand's prolific leader died in 2022, Homme Plissé Issey Miyake scheduled its first men's show at Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

Miyake's posthumous monochromatic menswear line was designed and cut by textile artists in a live presentation.

Most of the designs also matched the color palette, textures, and architecture of the stage the models walked down. 

These styles included layered suits with multiple sleeves, waistlines, and slick-backed gel wigs.

The temporary designer of Louis Vuitton's last men's off-season collection, KidSuper, created a theatrical piece to match the brand's whimsical and fantastical designs.

The lead designer, Colm Dillane, acted as a challenged protagonist searching for his next great idea. With meta conversations and fashion ensembles, Dillane revisited his childhood by speaking about the excitement of sparking a fresh idea and bringing it to fruition through circulating drama stages.

Models in sharp suits, cutout chest garments, leather two-pieces, swaying pearl necklaces, sleek glasses, and evening gowns walked the runway in the upscale cocktail bar.

After, guests indulged in an open bar with the models inside the baroque interior.

Brands like Paris-based Isabel Marant invited guests to its showroom to display and talk about its upcoming collection. Others hosted parties in the venue space or around the European city.

These parties and events allow fashion designers to network and also provide a space to dance and celebrate the launch of the different collections.

Early arrival is a must because even if you have an invitation to a Paris Fashion Week party, you'll be left at the door if the event reaches capacity. The bigger and more successful the brand, the more likely the showcase will eventually be limited in space.

Athletic-shoe brand Saucony hosted a pop-up event where it displayed different shoe designs on static televisions with a DJ spinning records in the background.

In collaboration with the French founder of Colette Sarah Andelman, Williams unveiled a Joopiter live auction in Paris that honored his deep relationships with his friends.

There were bionic sculptures created by Hajime Sorayama, neon flower art from Takashi Murakami, recreated vintage DJ units, and other memorabilia inspired by the great minds of his trailblazing artistic friends. 

Paris Fashion Week draws a global audience of people who share a passion for art and fashion, and after attending, I can see why.

The city breathes life into art through its own natural landscape and historical monuments, which served as the backdrop to the entire week.