The Marais: The Heart of Parisian Fashion

The Marais has had a thousand lives. In recent years, it has reinvented itself as the neighborhood where fashion constantly evolves and transforms. Luxury brands and young designers have replaced the small thrift shops and traditional stores of the area. Hipsters and tourists, always on the lookout for the latest trends, frequent showrooms and pop-up stores. There is always something new happening in the Marais, the capital’s new fashion hotspot. How about we take a stroll through it?

The Marais: A Neighborhood at the Heart of Fashion

In recent years, the Marais, historically known for its Jewish and gay communities, has transformed into a must-visit fashion hub where young designers, luxury ready-to-wear, and haute couture coexist. The transformation began in the early 2000s with brands like Zadig & Voltaire, Sandro, and Maje setting up shop. In the following years, the neighborhood evolved to become a new center of Parisian fashion, attracting a wealthier clientele. The offering also increased in quality, with the arrival of both French and international labels such as Karl Lagerfeld, Givenchy, John Galliano, and Gucci, among others. The beauty sector’s major brands are also well represented, with Chanel opening a boutique dedicated to this universe on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois.

The Marais Clientele: First and Foremost, Lovers of Fashion

Among the clientele of the Marais, there is a significant proportion of chic and affluent tourists who easily embrace the neighborhood’s new social codes, a subtle mix of fashion and culture. Constantly seeking novelty and unique products, this clientele finds what it is looking for in the Marais. They appreciate concept stores, places where they can indulge in multiple pleasures at once. In this spirit, The Broken Arm, located on Rue Perrée, offers clothing, as well as a bookstore and café-restaurant. Innovative concepts emerge from all corners, with the goal always being to surprise, time and time again. Rue des Archives has seen its small shops disappear, now firmly positioning itself in the realm of men’s ready-to-wear. Brands like Givenchy, Valentino, Gucci, Moncler, and Fendi cater to the demands of the gay community, which, despite the neighborhood’s transformations, remains a key part of the Marais’ identity.

Showrooms and Pop-Up Stores of the Marais: The Windows of Parisian Fashion

The Marais is also a neighborhood dedicated to organizing fashion-related events. The numerous showrooms held during Fashion Week allow brands to showcase clothing and accessories in unconventional venues. The area offers former workshops and factories that have been transformed into beautiful, spacious locations, where space and light create magnificent settings to highlight the collections. During Fashion Week, the renowned professional fair Tranoï has been hosting its Tranoï Week, an event that combines both a trade show and showroom, at 108 Rue Vieille du Temple. This is one of the neighborhood’s prime locations, which Make It Happen has also invested in, across various venues.

During Fashion Week, Make It Happen offers the most beautiful addresses in the Marais for organizing your events:

• Le Loft, an ideal place to be seen during Fashion Week.
• La Galerie, near Tranoï.
• La Petite Galerie Charlot, perfect for emerging designers.