Emily in Paris: Fashion Hit or Faux-Pas? With a Zoom on the Fendi Collab

  Since its release on Netflix, Emily in Paris quickly became one of the platform’s most-watched and discussed series worldwide; have you ever wondered what’s the reason behind its extravagant success and popularity?

  The first episode of Emily in Paris was released on October 2, 2020 and quickly reached a wide audience thanks to Netflix’s easy access. The series’ format of short and light episodes further lowers the effort needed to watch, making it highly binge-watchable for viewers.

  Paris, or Fashion Capital of the World, is already romanticized by people, and the show succeeds because it turns that idea into a visual fantasy and lifestyle. People associate it with beauty, love, fashion, cafés,and viewers already want to believe in this version of Paris. Emily in Paris does not challenge the fantasy, but rather amplifies it. The show presents Paris as clean, elegant, and picturesque, with iconic locations constantly being shown. Everyday life looks effortless and glamorous, allowing viewers to imagine a “how life could be” scenario and therefore offering a form of escapism from the realities of daily life.

  Emily in Paris’s success also lies in the seamless integration of fashion into its visual identity. The series is recognized and widely circulated online due to the distinctive aesthetic shaped by the various bold and exaggerated outfits.

  This carefully constructed aesthetic is the result of deliberate production choices, significant investment and a huge budget which directly influence the overall style of the series, as well as its international reach and recognition. The cost for each episode is approximately $3 to $5 million, based on reports, and includes Netflix's expense in creating an upscale location setting, designer clothing, and meticulously detailed set design. In terms of fashion specifically, Emily's wardrobe for the series has been reported to have cost close to €80,000, and some reports indicate her costumes were over $30,000 for one season alone. The expensive way the series addresses fashion is not only about how visually appealing it is; rather, the series is intentionally created to drive social media engagement and promote cultural awareness through sharing of images and scenes from the series online. Ultimately, as both entertainment and a trend driven and globalized lifestyle phenomenon, Emily in Paris will be a major player in modern pop culture.

  Beyond its quality of being visually appealing, the show was also created with the intent to foster high levels of social media interaction regarding the clothing, settings and scenes from each episode that fans will continue to share and discuss. The fact that this online presence extends the reach of the show past the screen and creates a continuous cultural dialogue has resulted in Emily in Paris functioning as both entertainment and a trend/lifestyle driven phenomenon.

  Recently, to celebrate the arrival of Emily in Paris Season 5 on Netflix, Fendi launched a special capsule collection featuring iconic pieces such as the Baguette and Peekaboo bags redesigned with show-inspired details, showcasing the close relationship between the series and the Maison.

  Today, fashion no longer lives only on runways, and Emily in Paris, being already fashion driven, gives natural space for luxury brands. Fendi’s bold, playful and logo forward aesthetic perfectly fits the show and matches its exaggerated and maximalist styling. It feels perfectly aligned with Emily’s aspirational image and personality. The partnership doesn’t interrupt the narrative but rather feels like an extension of the show’s visual world. It blends real luxury brand features with the fantasy world of the series. Their collaboration has generated a considerable amount of interest and has contributed to the ongoing relevance of the series beyond the screen, and in the fashion world as a whole.