As much as I love Paris, with all of its cultural superioristic notions and nuances, fancy lifestyle, unrivaled glamour and of course decadent crepes and macaroons, there still is no place like home. America, the land of the brave and free. I love representing America with pride everywhere I go, even if we look a bit silly as we are in the midst of the craziest and most rediculous election ever and even as our libiteries seem to be stripped from us each and every day. There still is no place, like The United States Of America; and that, is for sure!
During Paris Fashion Week I caught wind of a unique exhibition entitled, Americans In Paris. Not going to the Americans In Paris showcase was simply not an option considering my belief in supporting our very own; so of course I went, and was incredibly smitten and inspired with the encounter that none other than Anna Wintour birthed.
Americans In Paris is a philanthropic movement and initiative powered CFDA / Vogue fashion fund in which a showcase of America’s emerging Fashion Designers could be highlighted during the Paris Fashion Week so that American Designers also get the support and shine in an international marketplace. In 2003, after Vogue met with the Council of Fashion Designers Of America, the official intitative housed in the structure of a competition was launched.
On the Champs-Élysées, is where Americans In Paris was hosted this year. And when you ventured into the Parisian estate, you found the winners of previous competitions searching for the best American designers. These designers won money to manifest their vision for their clothing lines to life and to be a part of an unparalleled network.
Anna Wintour Wintour speerheaded this intitative after seeing how there was a blatant need to financially support American designers after 2011; so that they too, could continue birthing their ideas and creative visions in the world of fashion. Being a fashion designer, despite the appearance of the glitz and glam of it all, is quite arduous and challenging so it really makes my heart smile to learn about such a program that can slightly lighten the burden that many fashion designers go through, sparking much hope and inspiration.
I encourage you to do your own research as you very well may be surprised to learn all of the designers thay have benefited from this intitative. Designers such as Thom Browne (2005 Finalist), Marchesa & Rag & Bone (2006 Finalist), Rodarte (2006 Finalist), Phillip Lim (2007 Finalist), Jason Wu (2008), Alexander Wang (2008 Winner), Dow-Yi Chao & Maxwell Osbourne of Public School (Winners 2013 & Creative Director of DKNY). Where would these talented visionaries be had not someone else invested in their vision? Who knows, but what I do know is programs such as Americans In Paris are needed and I wishe all of the designers the best that prosperity has to offer as they truly are worth the investment.
Take a look at the designers that were involved in the Americans In Paris showcase this year and let me know if you have any favorites.
Designers 4 Americans In Paris 2016
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Americans In Paris Showcase was sponsores by Tumi
💜Love & Light🌞,
CRISTEN M. MILLS
