Paris is one of those nerve-centre cities that embodies every cliché of popular culture: the city of love, the city of glamour, the City of Light… While some may be true and others less so, what is undeniable is that it stands as one of the world’s fashion capitals, making it an essential destination for Vogue College of Fashion students—and this is no cliché.
On May 28 and 29, students from the Vogue Master’s in Fashion Image: Styling and Creative Direction and the Vogue Master’s in Fashion Design and Brand & Business Creation replaced the college classroom with Paris. Over two days, their education was shaped by the legacy of some of the most influential figures in fashion, cultural exhibitions, and talks with designers and industry experts. Education is essential, but what is truly interesting happens outside the classroom.
The legacy of Roger Vivier
The Parisian journey began with a visit to the Roger Vivier archives—the legendary master shoemaker who revolutionised the language of footwear and heels. This first stop, focused on Roger Vivier’s history and influence, was guided by Inès de la Fressange, the ultimate icon of French chic and Roger Vivier ambassador. Inès carries the admirable mission of not only safeguarding Roger Vivier’s creative vision, but also sharing it so that it endures.
It is said that those who are remembered never truly die, and Roger Vivier’s designs prove his legacy is eternal. Students had the opportunity to speak with Inès and see some of the designer’s iconic stilettos, signature square-buckle heels and exclusive pieces from an archive dating back to 1954.
The former model encouraged students to be bold and original—just as Roger was—explaining that this is the true path to innovation and subversion.
Musée du Quai Branly: Africa through a fashion lens
The next stop explored one of the cultures most overlooked by the fashion industry. The Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac is hosting Africa Fashion, an exhibition conceived by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. It offers a journey celebrating the creative force of a continent that has contributed to fashion for decades, often without receiving the recognition it deserves.
Featuring historical textiles, jewellery, accessories, photography and contemporary designs, the exhibition creates a compelling dialogue between past and present, revealing a vibrant, sophisticated and deeply innovative African fashion scene.
It was a powerful moment of insight, showing that some of today’s most exciting fashion conversations are not happening in Paris, Milan or New York—but in Lagos, Johannesburg or Dakar.
Alaïa and Dior: when haute couture speaks to itself
The Fondation Azzedine Alaïa in Paris presents Azzedine Alaïa et Christian Dior, deux maîtres de la Haute Couture, an exhibition that brings two great architects of fashion into dialogue. Through nearly 70 designs from Alaïa’s personal archives, the show explores aesthetic connections between the two creators: cinched waists, sculptural volumes, defined shoulders and a shared obsession with perfect cut.
Beyond a retrospective, the exhibition functions as a conversation across generations. Alaïa, who arrived in Paris in 1956 and briefly worked in Dior’s ateliers, maintained a lifelong admiration for the founder of the New Look. That fascination led him to build one of the most important private haute couture collections in the world, preserving hundreds of Dior pieces and, unintentionally, becoming one of the foremost guardians of fashion heritage. The exhibition also highlights Alaïa’s role as both collector and cultural conservator.
Alba Melendo, Nono Vázquez and Bet Callieri: our triumvirate of insight
A warm, sunny day in Paris set the tone for the second day. The group headed to the Colegio de España, where students attended a roundtable with three internationally recognised advocates of Spanish fashion: Alba Melendo, Nono Vázquez and Bet Callieri.
In an industry often wrapped in myth, what future professionals truly need are practical insights and clear guidance on how to achieve their goals—and that is exactly what they received.
Success is not defined by a single path, nor is it necessarily linear. What matters most is staying focused and learning from every experience, even when it may not seem directly related to one’s ambitions.
Through advice, candid reflections, laughter and even a few exclusives, students made the most of a session aimed at clarifying their career paths and strengthening their mindset.
The Spanish savoir-faire of Juanjo Oliva
Juanjo Oliva is one of those names that needs no introduction. His career includes numerous accolades—such as the Telva T Award for Best National Designer (2006), the L’Oréal Award for Best Collection at Madrid Fashion Week (twice), Best Young Collection at Cibeles (2005 and 2008), and the Marie Claire International Prix d’Excellence for Best Emerging Designer (2005)—as well as collaborations with renowned brands including El Corte Inglés, Multiópticas and Wamos Air. In 2022, Paris became the birthplace of Maison Oliva, and in his atelier near Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, the designer welcomed the group personally.
Stepping into a designer’s world is no easy task, but Juanjo opened the doors to his creative process, showing students that building a haute couture house is about far more than designing and making garments.
This visit proved especially valuable for students of the Fashion Design Master’s programme, offering a clear example of how passion and ideas can be transformed into a successful brand.
Learning from within the industry
The best education doesn’t always happen in a classroom. Sometimes, it unfolds during a conversation with someone reshaping the industry, through visits to the spaces where ideas are born, or on journeys that reveal how the sector truly operates from the inside.
