Vogue World Salutes Paris: Models and Footballers Unite

With just a week before crucial elections and anticipation building for Euro 2024, Paris was a bustling hub of activity. Amid high waters on the Seine and pre-Olympic jitters, the city found time for a spectacular fashion show: Vogue World in the historic Place Vendôme.

Supermodels like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner graced the event on horseback, joined by stars such as Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter channeling Brigitte Bardot, and Katy Perry in a distinctive leather harness. The runway also featured cultural icons like US actor Jeremy Pope dancing to Eartha Kitt’s tunes and French football legends Djibril Cissé, Blaise Matuidi, and Emmanuel Petit.

Vogue World in Paris marked the first-ever fashion show at Place Vendôme, heralding the upcoming Olympics, set to be the most style-focused games yet with LVMH as a major sponsor. This event, part of the Vogue World series following London and New York, reflects Vogue’s evolution beyond traditional print media under editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

The show, a charitable initiative benefiting Secours Populaire, featured 151 models, 70 dancers, and a pageant of seamstresses celebrating a century of French fashion. Each decade was paired with a sport, showcasing iconic designs from Balenciaga, Dior, and more. From power dressing in Saint Laurent to retro swimwear and synchronized swimming motifs, the spectacle blended fashion with athleticism.

Set against the backdrop of Place Vendôme’s grandeur, with Napoleon’s statue towering and Coco Chanel’s spirit lingering, the event captivated with its grand scale and eclectic choreography. Cyclists, tap dancers, and waiters in frock coats animated the square, creating a vibrant, Folies Bergère-like atmosphere.

Post-show, celebrities like Pharrell Williams and Diane Kruger retreated to the Ritz for champagne, while outside, young athletes reveled in the festive spirit. For one exhilarating night, Paris transformed into a glamorous stage where fashion, culture, and sport intertwined, reaffirming its status as a global capital of style and spectacle.

Re-reported from the article originally published in THE GUARDIAN.