Throwback To Paris: Why It’s A Stylist’s Job To Attend Fashion Week

Through the eyes of a stylist…

My name is Lisa Marie McComb and I am a fashion stylist.

I attend the most coveted shows at Paris Fashion Week, shop at the best boutiques in the country, and collaborate with my clients to create wardrobes that represent the most powerful versions of themselves.

So how did I get here, and why do I get invited to Paris to attend the Céline, Dior, Chanel and Givenchy fashion shows? In fact, what does a stylist really do at fashion week?

I have been asked this many times, so I am going to give you a little glimpse into my most recent trip to Paris Fashion Week. But first, let me tell you what I am not.

I am not there to be the first to Instagram or tweet a picture live from the shows… I’ll leave that to the bloggers.

I am not there to report on the trends… I’ll leave that to the editors.

My responsibility is to be the interpreter of fashion for my clients.

I am invited into the fashion fold to be the eyes and ears of the women who trust me to guide them in their style.

They trust me to interpret trends in a way that suits their lifestyle and needs. Attending the shows in Paris first hand, I get the privilege of experiencing the artistic expression of the designers’ vision. Every element of the show comes together in thoughtful detail: from the invitations to the carefully curated settings, styling, music, textures and colors.

Seeing a fashion show in Paris is an experience that’s completely different from seeing the merchandised floors at the boutiques. You get to see the story the collection tells and understand the intention of the designer, which is something that can’t be seen once it’s been broken down.

This insight is what allows me to get the full picture and bring my clients the best of the best when I shop for them every season.

On a more personal level, the moment that first look walks down the runway, that is my fashion adrenaline. Having worked in many aspects of the industry, from being a model to producing fashion shows, I love watching how all the elements of a show come together to create a moving experience. That is what keeps me coming back every season for my clients, and that is why I am eternally grateful to be doing what I truly love.

Here are a few of my favorite moments from Fall 2016 Paris Fashion Week, including finding myself backstage at the Chanel show next to Karl Lagerfeld and Pharrell.