Waking up from my red eye flight to Paris, I opened the plane window to see an overcast sky. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive about coming to Paris. After all, I wouldn’t be able to see my family or experience the peak of Long Island summer, and as the plane touched down I felt as if Paris could be described as one thing-gray.
I felt the gray for the first two days in Paris, but as I experienced the city more and took in all of its rich architecture, food, and art, I shifted to see that Paris definitely has its gray moments, but is able to sprinkle in pink and red. Perhaps I feel that Paris is pink because of its history with fashion, and fashion, along with pink, are two of my favorite things. At night, however, the pink morphs into red. The vibrant LED lights that shine from the night-time establishments lure Parisians and tourists in to experience the best of Europe’s music and dance scene. Although I have yet to experience most of what Paris has to offer, I am hopeful that more pink and red will shine through the gray that can be so hard to see past.
Considering the other major city I have spent the most time in is New York, I immediately appreciated the way Paris designs ordinary things in a way to make them beautiful. It seems as if every fixture has thought and care put into its aesthetic and viewing pleasure. Even more unwelcoming structures such as gates are made to look beautiful and match the buildings it surrounds. In comparison to New York, it feels as if Paris is a more welcoming city due to its focus on beauty and consideration of the individual’s perception of her. While New York is rigid and cold, Paris appears more free-flowing and romantic.
The luxury of Paris is an undeniable aspect of the city. For centuries, it has been a hub of fashion and art and a beacon of inspiration for consumers across the world. Silks, jacquards, and soft cashmeres are interwoven with the soul of the city. However, there is still the roughness of the cobblestones lining the street and rusting iron rods. Therefore, Paris feels like an itchy tweed fabric. While tweed is a classic pattern and highly respected due to the designs of Coco Chanel, it is not the most comfortable material to be in or one that one might wear to every occasion. Like fashion, Paris is always evolving and creating the latest innovations in the arts, and just like you could not stand being in a tweed dress all day, you would not want to keep wearing old styles.
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