Fashion

Haute Couture isn't only about extravagance – sometimes it's also about a quest for meaning. At Dior, Maria-Grazia Chiuri takes inspiration from Austrian-American architect Bernard Rudofsky. Meanwhile, Clara Daguin, a young designer invited to participate in the official Haute Couture selection, offers up an interactive, digital vision of luxury. And fashion historian Olivier Saillard reveals the latest instalment of his Moda Povera project with a show comprised exclusively of men's shirts.

Fashion is the world's second most polluting industry. Revealing their latest summer 2020 menswear collections in Paris, designers are part of the problem. But some are also ready to be part of the solution. Among them is Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto, who tells people to "be angry". We also check out eco-conscious collections made from organic or upcycled materials, as well as one fashion show in a sea of carnations and another at Paris's Place des Vosges.

For years, many saw fashion and feminism as mutually exclusive. But today, that couldn't be further from the truth. Feminism as a political – and sartorial – statement is everywhere, embraced by both established and obscure labels. So who are those influencing the influencers here in France? We meet the activist group Gang of Witches, a collective of artists, writers and singers banging the drums of equality.

At the Paris cabaret hall Paradis Latin, choreographer Kamel Ouali is working with Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere. The ambitious revue they're perfecting tells the story of a waiter whose dream of taking to the stage comes true. The dazzling costumes are by Parisian haute couture label On Aura Tout Vu. With rehearsals well underway, we take you backstage for a glimpse of breathtaking artistry and sartorial excess.

When it comes to fashion, a wave of change is washing over the African continent. Young Togolese designer Jacques Logoh has been running Lomé’s International Fashion Festival (FIMO) for six years now. He's aiming to establish a yearly meet-up for African designers. This pan-African approach to the fashion industry is seen as an economic strength and a force for social cohesion. We take a closer look.

Over the years, designers have been borrowing or stealing from African cultural heritage, depending on how you see it. But times are changing! For her Cruise 2020 collection for Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri has come up with a truly African concept. Working hand in hand with Ivorian designer Pathé'O and with women from Morocco's Atlas mountains, she has launched new wax print fabrics which are manufactured in Abidjan. The collection blends curiosity with empathy. FRANCE 24 takes a look.

What if the luxury sector aligned with the aspirations of society? The age of non-stop plastic is coming to an end. Nicolas Gerlier is the founder of the eco-friendly lipstick brand “La Bouche Rouge”; his business is committed to promoting sustainable development. Thanks to a partnership with Eau Vive Internationale, the company has pledged to donate 100 litres of drinking water to an African village for every lipstick sold. We went to find out more in the village of Hilou, in Togo.

In the 21st century, designers no longer tell princess stories. Instead, they fall into dystopia. For his Winter 2019 Ready-to-wear collection, Manish Arora honours Mad Max, while Rick Owens reveals people of the desert; Tuomas Merikoski (Aalto) shows off a "modest" wardrobe, while Thom Browne pays tribute to Lady Troubridge, a feminist sculptor and lesbian. For Masha Ma and Vivienne Westwood, fashion today has the power to change our worldview. Isabel Marant proves it, in a rather sexy way!

This summer, how about we leave our uniforms behind? Whether it’s floaty sun dresses, cotton shirts or denim cut-offs, we all tend to return time and time again to the same summer looks. It's time to shake things up. And while the price tags may be alarming, there's nothing wrong with finding some inspiration in the rarified world of haute couture. Whether the designs are "arty", as with Iris van Herpen, or worn with cowboy boots, like at Schiaparelli!

On February 19, fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld passed away. Two weeks later, under the dome of Paris's Grand Palais, his colleagues and clients got to see his final creations for Chanel, revealed against an alpine backdrop. It's been a difficult few weeks for the world of fashion, but the show must go on. At Louis Vuitton the offering was decidedly sporty, while Yohji Yamamoto embraced his trademark humour. Stella McCartney, meanwhile, did what she does best: urging us to save the planet.