Paris fashion week: fans beat the heat with a surprisingly stylish solution
Paris – As temperatures soared past 100 degrees Fahrenheit across Europe, the runways of Paris Fashion Week transformed into a surprisingly cool oasis. Editors and buyers, battling the oppressive heat, were seen wielding everything from vintage fans to high-tech cooling devices – but it was the humble paper fan that truly dominated the scene.
A wave of paper: from show seats to street style
From Dior to Yoke, brands embraced the classic accessory, offering their own iterations of the paper fan, instantly becoming a ubiquitous sight throughout the event. Attendees, armed with handheld powered fans and neck-worn cooling devices, actively sought refuge from the sweltering conditions. The trend isn’t just a fleeting response to the heat; it’s a clear indicator of a shifting consumer mindset.
Pinterest data reveals a staggering 60% year-on-year surge in searches for hand and portable fans – “cute mini fan” searches jumped 141%, “electric hand fan” searches rose 133%, and “mini fan snap” saw a 117% increase. European wholesalers are responding with a 31% increase in handheld fan orders compared to air conditioning units, according to Alibaba.
Tech takes flight: beyond the traditional
But this isn’t simply a return to a bygone era. Innovation is driving a premiumization of the fan category. Companies like Dyson and SharkNinja are pushing the boundaries with high-tech devices – the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool, which sold out within hours in both the US and UK, and SharkNinja’s ChillPill, a three-in-one fan, mist, and cooling system. These products are not just functional; they’re designed to be aesthetically pleasing and integrated seamlessly into daily life.
“Consumers will increasingly think of fans in the way they consider water bottles and headphones: as functional but something they want to be proud to carry publicly,” explains Emily Gordon-Smith, content director at Stylus. “We’re seeing a move away from pure utility and cheap quick-fix purchases, toward high-performance premium tech where aesthetics and status matter.”
Fashion finds a new accessory
The trend extends beyond technology. Luxury brands are recognizing the potential, offering paper fans adorned with their logos – Dior’s version, for example, is already available online. Some, like Gucci, experimented with selling fans in 2017, while others, such as Bloomingdale’s, are now stocking high-end versions. Bridal events are also capitalizing on the trend, with brands like Gigi and Olive offering fans as both favors and accessories. Even Justin Bieber’s Skylrk brand collaborated with SharkNinja on a limited-edition orange ChillPill, proving that fans are more than just a cooling solution; they're a statement.
“Brands need to stay close to this category,” advises Gordon-Smith. “Leaning into premium, artisanal-crafted renderings, look at the history of fans and their significance over the centuries in making social, aesthetic and even political statements. From collectable art pieces to fun yet practical marketing giveaways, we’ll see a boom in them in years to come.”
With summers only getting hotter, expect this trend to continue – and possibly evolve – into a mainstream accessory.