The city of Paris is synonymous with fashion, and known globally as a hotbed of style. This September, the French capital plays host to Paris Fashion Week, one of the biggest events in the haute couture calendar. Read on to learn more.
History of Paris Fashion Week
Held bi-annually, Paris Fashion Week is one of the industry’s longest-running trade shows. The beginnings of the event can be traced back to 1945, when launches for new collections were first grouped seasonally by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. This French regulatory commission was responsible for determining which clothing design houses were eligible to be classed as true purveyors of haute couture (“high dressmaking” or “high fashion”).
This vintage photograph captures French designer Christian Dior’s debut collection, launched in 1947 (image courtesy of Dior.com archive).
Over the years, the groups of shows highlighting Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collections from top labels grew into what we know today as Paris Fashion Week. Although a number of fashion weeks are held in key locations around the world each year, it is the “Big Four” which have captured the public’s imagination and receive the majority of media coverage. These are held in Paris, New York, London and Milan, all renowned as global style capitals and home to some of the world’s most famous labels.
A Celebration of Style
This year’s Paris Fashion Week will showcase the latest designs from top designers, including household names such as Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent. The event brings together publicists, socialites, journalists, industry insiders, stylists and models in a week-long celebration of French chic.
World-renowned labels will be presenting their 2018 Women’s Spring/Summer collections. Over 100 shows are scheduled to take place at various venues throughout the city, in what is one of the biggest draws of the year for the industry. Next season’s hotly-anticipated trends will be revealed to an expectant audience, in what is sure to be an exciting few days on the catwalk.
A model struts her stuff during a previous Spring / Summer Collection at the Paris Fashion Show.
Paris Fashion Week runs from September 26 – October 3 at various locations throughout the city. For full details on participating designers, times and venues, please click here to visit the official website.
Fashionista’s Paradise
One of the most visited cities in the world, Paris offers an exquisite range of fine dining experiences and high-end shopping opportunities. The French capital is home to many iconic tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum.
The city of Paris provides a suitably stylish backdrop for the one of the fashion industry’s biggest events (image credit: Khairul Abdullah).
With its abundance of tree-lined parks, chic outdoor cafes and picturesque cobblestoned streets, the city boasts a unique atmosphere which enchants visitors of all ages. Fashionistas are guaranteed to feel at home in what is arguably the style capital of the world.
Flying to Paris
Paris Le Bourget (IATA: LBG, ICAO: LFPB) is Europe’s busiest airport for private jets, and offers multiple services aimed at General Aviation (GA) customers. The airport is located around 11km north east of Central Paris, which is accessible by car within around 45 minutes.
Paris Charles de Gaulle (IATA: CDG, ICAO: LFPG) and Paris Orly (IATA: ORY, ICAO: LFPO) are the other airports serving the city, however only business aviation passengers who are connecting to commercial flights are allowed to land at these airports. Additionally, aircraft are permitted to stay on the ground for a limited time only.
Landing Permits, Slots and Parking
Non-EU registered charter flights must obtain a landing permit. In general, these take around five working days to process. One of the main advantages of Paris Le Bourget is that it does not have allocated slots, and there are no limits on GA traffic. Parking slots are allocated on a first come, first-serve basis. Charles De Gaulle and Paris Orly are both used mainly for commercial traffic, and so slots are always required. Business aviation aircraft requesting to land at either will be denied permission, unless the passengers on board have connections to commercial flights. Hangarage is available at Paris Le Bourget, including for larger aircraft such as the Boeing Business Jet series and Airbus Corporate Jets. The hangars can accommodate planes with a maximum tail height of 12 meters, and wingspans of up to 40 meters.
Departure Times
Paris Le Bourget is open 24 hours a day, however restrictions are in place for jet engine take-offs. Planes with jet engines are not allowed to leave between 22:15 and 06:00 local time. At Charles De Gaulle, stage three aircraft are limited to taking off between 05:00 and 11:59, and stage two aircraft are restricted to departures between 06:01 and 11:14. Paris Orly operates only between 06:00 and 10:30.
Ground Transportation
A variety of VIP ground transport options are available at Paris Le Bourget. Jetex can arrange for the vehicle of your preference to be waiting when you arrive, ready to whisk you to your onward destination. Contact our Paris Le Bourget team to find out more. No ground transportation is available at Paris Orly or Charles De Gaulle airports for GA travelers, as all passengers must be boarding commercial airlines.
For all of the reasons outlined above, Paris Le Bourget remains the best available option for GA flights operating into Paris.
Arrange Your Trip to Paris Fashion Week with Jetex
Traveling to France for Paris Fashion Week? Arrange your flight with Jetex! Our well-appointed FBO at Paris Le Bourget Airport offers all the facilities you need to arrive in style. We can design a package to suit your exact requirements, creating a tailor-made trip plan as unique as you are.
Our expert team will take care of all of your airside needs, including refueling, aircraft parking and ground handling.
Beyond the airport, you can trust the friendly and knowledgeable Jetex Lifestyle team to look after every aspect of your stay. From arranging chauffeur-driven limos, to securing the best 5-star accommodation or reserving tables at the most exclusive restaurants, we can cater to all of your desires. If you can imagine it, we can arrange it!
Choosing Jetex guarantees an exceptional VIP experience for you and your guests. Talk to our Paris team today to arrange your trip on +33 17 437 2522 or fbo-lbg@jetex.com.
