On the last day of Paris fashion week I am running out of one metro, into another. This is me, acting like a perfectly integrated Parisian tourist, that is not afraid to use the public transport. Yeah right.. I already missed 2 metro stops, and I have never looked so many times on my watch as now. Panicky I am trying to calculate my arrival time at the Araisara runway show… So that’s, plus 10 minutes for the metro stops I missed, minus 2 minutes as it is raining, so I will have to run to the location, plus 3 minutes to ask someone for directions, minus 5 minutes because I am wearing flats instead of heels (Good choice!) Equals… 11 minutes late for the show.. And yes, one thing that went well was my calculation of being too late.. Sorry “mademoiselle, C’est ferme! The show has started, I cannot let anyone in”. On the background I hear the music starting, and when I look around I see a dozen of journalist and fashionista’s with a confused and sad face. At this moment I have to ask myself; what are my options? So I start plan A; I ask the bodyguard around the corner, with my saddest, teary eyes (picture: ‘Rain meets Puss in Boots’); “Can you please let me in?” As cold as it already is outside, I get an even colder answer; “Does it look like anyone is still getting in? It is too late!” From the corner of my eye I see a blond, ‘I am a very important PR-ish lady’ walking outside to finish her phone call. I slowly sneak up closer and when she finishes her call I ask her with an ‘I am super important attitude’; “Excuse me, I am here all the way from Dubai to cover the Araisara show, and they wont let me in! C’est ridicule!” And yes, it turns out, she is a “very important PR-ish lady’! She say’s “oke, quick come with me!” I follow her inside while the angry eyes of the waiting people outside are following me. And yes, I AM IN!! Impossible to still reach a seat, I am jumping behind a layer of press with an average height 180cm plus, in order to see the show. Oh, how i wish I did put on my 14 cm high heels! As I peek through ears and ponytails, I see the models wearing what seems to be a collection with a fusion of Asian culture and Western fashion. The clothes have perfect balance of 20% asia and 80% western fashion, which makes it very wearable and still unique. There is a mix of beautiful patterns, high-wasted pants, knotted belts, buckle bracelets, closed collars, translucent fabrics, and elegant kimono-esk jackets. Definitely standing out, are the Graphic patterns on the garments that are made through traditional dying techniques. As a pretty new brand, and her first showcase in Paris fashion week, I can say there are some pieces I would love to have! She has already taken over Japan, which is a good start to introduce the brand in Paris and hopefully we will see Araisara soon introduced in Dubai. And if not, Dear Arai, if you are reading this, Do you by any chance have the time to make a stop in Dubai, and drop off the black translucent coat in look #2?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63IC0E7INXc&w=680]
pictures: Zacharie Scheurer
