Alright, so I finally did it. Went to the Alexander McQueen show in Paris. You hear about these things, see the pictures, but being there? Whole different story, let me tell you.
Getting There Was Half the Battle
First off, just getting to Paris with everything sorted was a mission. Then, the venue. Paris is, well, Paris. Beautiful, but navigating it for something like this, on a tight schedule, that’s a skill in itself. I remember rushing, thinking I’d be late, even though I’d planned it all out. You always think you’ve got time, right? Wrong. Especially not for these big fashion events.
The queue, or rather, the crowd outside, was something else. A sea of people. Some looking like they stepped out of a magazine, others, well, just trying to catch a glimpse. I just focused on getting in, finding my spot. It wasn’t exactly a red carpet stroll for me, more like a polite but firm navigation through a very enthusiastic crowd.
Inside the Machine
Once I got inside, the atmosphere was electric, I’ll give it that. But it’s also very… intense. Lots of hushed tones, then bursts of chatter. You see faces you vaguely recognize from somewhere. I made sure to just find a decent spot where I could actually see. That’s the key, really. Forget the schmoozing, I was there for the show.
The lights dimmed, music started. That’s when the real business began. The models came out. And yeah, the clothes were incredible. Some pieces, truly works of art. You could see the craftsmanship, the sheer audacity of some designs. That’s McQueen for you, isn’t it? Always pushing.
- The tailoring: Sharp. Really sharp. Even from a distance, you could tell.
- The drama: Oh, there was plenty of that. It’s a performance, not just a clothes parade.
- The details: I tried to zoom in with my eyes, you know? The little things that make a piece special. Sometimes it’s hard with all the movement and the lights.
A Little Thing I Noticed
But here’s something that struck me, and it’s not about the clothes, not really. I’ve been to a few shows over the years, different designers, different cities. And it’s always this huge production. Massive. But this time, I caught myself watching the people watching the show. Their faces. Some are just on their phones, filming everything, probably not even seeing it with their own eyes. Like they’re collecting content, not memories.
It made me think. Back when I first got into appreciating design, way before all this social media frenzy, you’d go to see something, and you’d look. You’d absorb it. You’d talk about it afterwards, properly. Now? It feels like if it’s not instantly broadcast, it didn’t happen. I made a conscious effort to put my phone down for a bit. Just watch. It felt… different. Better, maybe.
I remember one particular piece, this massive, sculptural dress. And for a second, the person next to me, who’d been glued to their screen, actually lowered their phone and just gasped. A genuine reaction. That was nice to see. A little reminder that underneath all the hype, the artistry can still cut through.
Wrapping It Up
So, the Alexander McQueen show in Paris. Was it worth the effort? Yeah, I’d say so. It’s not just about seeing pretty dresses. It’s about seeing creativity at a certain scale, feeling that energy. And for me, it was also a little reminder to actually be present. To look up from the screen once in a while. That’s a practice I’m trying to stick to, not just at fashion shows, but, you know, in general. Definitely an experience.
