We have been bringing you weekly reports from the European fashion shows with our eyes on the inside: the dashing model James Gatenby. We started off at the Paris castings, followed him to London, trailed along to Milan and now he’s back where he started in Paris. See what he had to say below about the menswear shows in the French capital …
“Paris shows are grand, taking place in the palaces and beautiful public buildings …”
In James’s Own Words:
The European Men’s fashion weeks end for us where they began, Paris. The airports are striking, so some boys are forced to take an overnight train from Milan instead of a direct flight. My own flight is three hours late, and for some of us, as soon as we get off the flight, we will be fitting clothes tonight until the wee hours of the morning as tomorrow is already the first day of the shows.
Paris shows are grand, taking place in the palaces and beautiful public buildings that the city is renowned for. The after-parties are a classy affair as well, not even the models gain access to some of the most elite goings on. One night for me involves a stroll around the Louvre followed by the Dries Van Noten visage, a rooftop party for GQ and finally ending the night in the depths of Paris’ club scene.
By this point everyone is as burnt out as can be. Lack of sleep, lack of food, lack of time to yourself is draining, but the end is in sight now. It’s been an exhausting but thrilling three weeks, and finally we can relax. On the last night everyone says their goodbyes and then board their planes, with destinations ranging from home to exotic places all across the globe. The shows I have done this season, such as Z Zegna, Les Hommes, Dolce & Gabbana and Dries Van Noten, will win me work for the next while. But there is always the lingering thought that it is only half a year before we do it all again!
Be sure to follow James Gatenby on twitter: @JimmyGmodel
See the first posts from James Gatenby at the Paris casting here, London menswear collections here and Milan shows here.
See a similar feature here …