My First Red Carpet Event in Paris: A Reflection on the Journey
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Time to read: 8 min
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Time to read: 8 min
I have a confession to make—my very first red carpet event was something I never imagined would happen to me. Last Saturday, I found myself walking the red carpet at a gala in Paris during Fashion Week. It was all because of an email I received a couple of months ago, informing me that I had been included in the Business of Fashion's list, recognizing the voices shaping the global fashion world. To be honest, I didn’t really know what that meant at first. But now, after this surreal experience, I’ve gained a whole new perspective on what it means to be part of this industry. So, let’s talk about it.
In this blog, we will answer the following questions:
When I received the email from Business of Fashion, my initial reaction was surprise, mixed with a little confusion. I thought, "What exactly does being one of the top 500 voices in global fashion mean?" My journey started far from the glitz and glamor of high fashion. I've always been focused on peeling back the layers, quite literally, when it comes to leather craftsmanship and product reviews. Fashion wasn't even something I consciously set out to be part of. So, when the invitation came, I wasn’t sure how I fit into the equation.
Fast forward to last Saturday night. The event was held at one of the most luxurious hotels in Paris, packed with fans, photographers, and what felt like a who's who of the fashion elite. It had the vibe of a Hollywood movie—one of those red carpet events you see on TV but never imagine yourself attending. Walking up to the entrance, it hit me: I was about to step into a world that was very different from my usual day-to-day life of analyzing leather bags and tearing down wallets.
Inside, the atmosphere was electric. The venue was filled with designers, models, celebrities, authors, and entrepreneurs. I have to admit, I felt like a fish out of water. Here’s the thing—I don’t follow the news, and I rarely consume social media. So I had no idea who most of these famous people were. For instance, I learned later that Kylie Jenner was there, but if I had walked past her that night, I wouldn’t have known.
Despite feeling a bit out of my element, I did have some incredibly meaningful conversations that night. One that stood out was with Imran Amed, the founder of Business of Fashion himself. He told me how much he appreciates the educational content I create, especially how it empowers luxury consumers to make better-informed decisions about the brands and products they choose. Hearing that from someone who has such a deep understanding of the fashion world was eye-opening.
@tanner.leatherstein From leather reviews to a Paris red carpet. Honored to be included in #BoF500. 📸 @bof #fashiontiktok #fashionweek #parisfashionweek2024 #bof500 #redcarpet #tannerleatherstein ♬ original sound - Tanner Leatherstein
It made me reflect on the responsibility that comes with creating content that reaches so many people. I’ve always approached my reviews with an educational mindset, but now I feel a deeper obligation to ensure that the information I’m sharing helps people make truly informed choices. The conversation with Imran left me with a sense of purpose that I hadn’t quite tapped into before.
After the event, I took some time to process everything. How did I get here? How did someone like me, who never set out to be part of the fashion industry, end up walking a red carpet in Paris? The truth is, I never imagined that what I do—making raw, unfiltered reviews of leather products—would resonate so deeply, not just with everyday consumers, but with industry insiders too.
This experience made me realize how important it is to be recognized in this way. It wasn’t just about attending a glamorous event; it was about being acknowledged for making an impact. Talking to people that night helped me understand that what I’ve been doing—what we’ve been doing together as a community—is truly making a difference. And that’s something I’ll never take for granted.
Here’s the thing—I've never been drawn to the glamor of the fashion world. In fact, it’s that very lack of interest that pushed me to create the kind of raw, unfiltered content that has resonated with so many of you. I’ve always taken my work seriously, but now, after seeing how much it’s appreciated even within the fashion world, I feel a renewed sense of responsibility. It’s not about chasing trends or jumping on the bandwagon; it’s about continuing to provide honest, transparent, and educational content that cuts through the noise.
But now, I’m committed to diving even deeper. I’m going to educate myself more about fashion trends and the industry as a whole—not because I want to change who I am, but because I want to offer you better, more informed content. I’m still the same guy who loves dissecting leather products and giving you the real deal about their value. But now, I have a clearer sense of the impact we can have together.
Here’s where I need your help. If at any point, you feel like my content is losing its authenticity—if it ever seems like I’m being influenced by the tricks of the fashion world—please let me know. You, my community, are the reason I got here in the first place. Your trust in my honest evaluations is everything to me, and I want to make sure that I stay true to that. Together, we can continue to make an impact by staying focused on what matters: quality, craftsmanship, and transparency.
In closing, I just want to say how much I appreciate the support that has brought me to this point. Being included in the BoF 500 is an honor, but it’s also a responsibility—one that I’m excited to embrace. This journey has only just begun, and with your feedback and support, we’ll keep pushing boundaries and making an impact.
As always, until next time—stay leathertained!
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