These salons are extraordinary. They allow designers and others to come together in one central spot the buyers that have come from around the world as well as a great number of journalist and scouts on the lookout for the next big thing in design, decoration and fashion.

I attended the salon as a guest of Studio 3eme Droite, whose offices had recreated their universe at the Pick & Mix salon.

Studio 3ème Droite represents twelve diverse brands, which include the jet-setting designer Oscar Carvallo who presented his Indian chic collection during Paris’ October ready-to-wear fashion week and also currently at the Paris Prêt-a-Porter Salons with his Fall 2005 collection that will be shown next month during the prêt-a-porter shows.

Studio 3ème Droite also represents a lot of contemporary urban wear companies that does not show during fashion week, but shows the prêt-a-porter salons.

One interesting thing to note is the proliferation of urban wear at the salons. Yes, Virginia, the hip-hop culture has also been exported to Europe! This U.S. youth subculture that become part of the mainstream youth culture has also taken the world by storm.

So watch out P. Diddy, Baby Phat and Phat Farm, you have lots of competition on the other side of the Atlantic.