Revue de mode

03/05/2012

One of the highlights of my year is an annual trip to Hyères for the Festival of Fashion and Photography. There are always fascinating trends to be spotted, but one in particular caught my attention this time.

Following my note, a couple of weeks ago, about Erik Orsenna's excellent book, Sur la route du papier, the rise of paper as a desirable material continues. One of the fashion students in the competition, Steven Tai, based his collection on books. Sandwiched layers of cotton mimicked stacked pages, while nibs of fountain pens decorated collars.

Although he's a digital native, he's fascinated by the sensuality and physicality of books. «I don't think they'll ever be replaced», he said, adding that he also loved old typewriters.

Much to my delight, Steven - who is a Canadian citizen but comes from Macau - won the Chloé Prize, which means he'll be working with one of the world's most respected fashion brands. Paper is still powerfully attractive, it seems.

Just ask the editors of the fashion magazines and art reviews that were scattered around the Villa Noailles, where the festival is based. They included More, a new photography review that costs €28 per issue.

«Paper is about touch, odour, permanence, said its founder, Pierre Manoury. Magazines will survive, as long as they are exceptional. I couldn't agree more.»