Paris is widely recognized as the global capital of fashion and haute couture. This reputation continues to be reinforced today by magazines, advertising, and social media. This course will begin by examining the historical development of the luxury industry in Paris, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages and exploring how artisanal trades were regulated during that period. Following the French Revolution, commercial activity became increasingly structured around new urban spaces such as covered passages and department stores, while the emergence of haute couture further solidified the city’s identity as a fashion capital.Rather than offering a simple chronological account of major fashion houses and designers, the course adopts a critical perspective that considers the political and sociological dimensions of Parisian fashion. Students will engage with questions related to gender, social class, and migration, analysing how these factors intersect with fashion production and consumption. The course also examines the spatial dimension of fashion, analysing how the urban planning of Paris and its surrounding suburbs has evolved in response to the demands of the luxury industry, not only in terms of retail, but also production. This includes both mass production hubs such as Aubervilliers and centres of exceptional craftsmanship like Le 19M. Field visits to key neighbourhoods, museums, and exhibitions, an integral part of the course, will provide students with the opportunity to enrich their theoretical knowledge through direct observation and experience.
