Cat Burglar of the Catwalk by Sarah Larson
Cat Burglar of the Catwalk – Paris Fashion Week
By Sarah Larson
On a Wednesday afternoon in Paris, I, Sarah Larson, was an ordinary exchange student from Illinois determined to scour the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week 2009. John Galliano was the last headlining show, and I figured finding the
address and time online wouldn't be very difficult. Sure enough, my trusty Jedi Internet skills (thanks to the teachings of my best friend Rachael, the Yoda of Google) proved adequate in pinpointing both location and commencement. A good-sized crowd had formed by the time I got to the venue, and streams of statuesque hipsters, departing from the previous show, were clonking high-heeled toward the Metro, Chanel bags in hand. As I approached the heavily guarded gate of the J.G. show, a tall brunette with a posse of giants came sauntering up to the stairway for entry. Now, in my opinion, the most important rule for sneaking into an establishment is as follows: Tall people aid in blending in. So I slipped in behind them, and for some reason the security guards said nothing. I was then sweating bullets in the waiting area after realizing that everyone had an invitation except for me. When the masses started moving through a small corridor with more security at the end, I began thinking, "This is it, I'm going to get kicked out."
Lo and behold, I wasn’t.
Feeling bolder, I made a beeline for the catwalk, lingering near the best portion in the hopes of spotting some celebs. After I settled in an aisle, it started pouring Hollywood right next to me! My first sighting was socialite Leigh Lezark, followed by Dita Von Teese, Prince and Katy Perry, accompanied by her fiancé Russell Brand. I took my place among the paparazzi to get pictures, which unfortunately meant being smashed up against the aforementioned Brit —who wouldn't look at me, even though I was politely tapping him on the shoulder. I mean, c'mon, in a sea of obnoxious tabloid photogs, he couldn’t smile for one picture for the young girl with a measly light-blue point-and-shoot camera? HAVE A HEART, Russ!
Despite all the celebrity mania, my favorite part of the night was still the fashion show itself: Moulin Rouge-inspired music, ambience and couture. Everything was lacy, silky and flirty.
After the show ended, I was yet again caught in a herd headed for what I thought was the exit. On the contrary, I was carried feet-off-the-ground into the show's backstage area. Security was calling for wristbands, but I wear too many bracelets for them to have known which one was official, so after holding up a heavily accessorized arm, I was in. This scene rivaled the actual show for being the highlight: fishnet legs, costume bags, caboodles, hairspray, Q-tips, runny mascara, paparazzi, Russell Brand ogling the fishnet legs, flustered makeup artists and vanity lights everywhere! And I can't possibly forget the free Dixie cups of champagne in the back. I took two.
And the finale of it all—though I didn’t think I looked much like one of the fashionistas backstage, nevertheless, a paparazzo asked if he could take my picture. I tried my best to smirk and pose like an Olsen twin, but I couldn't help thinking, “Ha, if only he knew."
As I wandered out into the empty arena that moments ago had throbbed with glitz and glamour, I realized it was all as put-on and superficial as the models’ nail polish. The idea of “celebrity” is so mystifying; I don't think I'll ever quite understand it. Who knows how long the intrigue would last if the limelight became your light?
Regardless, I put on my headphones and allowed myself to gloat for just a little while about how much I'd milked Paris Fashion Week, if I do say so myself.
And yes, I strutted down the catwalk on my way out.
IMAGES THANKS TO SARAH LARSON. IMAGES OF GALLIANO'S SHOW, KATY PERRY, BACKSTAGE REMOVAL OF NAIL POLISH, RUSSELL BRAND.
Insider Info from Sarah Larson
Paris Fashion Week takes place all over the city, but this particular show was off the Trocadéro stop on the Metro, accessible by lines 6 and 9. Trocadéro Square is located in between the Musée National de la Marine (Navel Museum) and the Musée de l’Homme (Museum of Ethnology). The square is an excellent spot to view the Eiffel Tower (especially at night), and its neighborhood offers luxe accommodations, dining, and shopping. Hotel Étoile Trocadéro is a beautiful, modern three star hotel within walking distance of the square, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Elysée. Also within walking distance of these attractions is Hotel Square, a five star boutique hotel famed for its designer atmosphere, Zebra Square Restaurant, and Nuxe Spa. To get a taste of typical French cuisine in the area, visit Le Scheffer or Le Coq, older bistros with quaint seating outdoors.
www.etoiletrocadero.com
www.hotelsquare.com
Le Scheffer: 22 Rue Scheffer, 75116 Paris, France
Le Coq: 2 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France
Visit www.ratp.fr for Metro train schedules, route maps, and pricing.
Sarah’s Blog: www.frenchiefrenchie.blogspot.com