Hermès

Jean Paul Gaultier, designer for the house of Hermès was inspired to bring back the smoking jacket, hence his reason for having some of the models smoke on the runway. Smoking jackets were particularly popular in the Victorian Era where women didn't want the smell of smoke on their husbands everyday clothes, so when he went to smoke he would put on the jacket. Also, there were smoking caps to prevent men's hair from smelling of tobacco.

I like how Jean Paul Gaultier added Western flare by using lots of fringe and high heeled cowboy boots.

Smokin'

On the runway? Only in Paris...

Natasha Poly for Hermès

Why does it matter where fashion designers show their collections?

Have you ever wondered why Matthew Williamson presents his collections in New York, Christopher Kane in London, and Stella McCartney in Paris?

Each city means something different for designers...

London - Get noticed
New York - Get financial backer
Milan - Get a manufacturer
Paris - Relax, you've made it

This is a great article for those of you who are interested and you can read it here!