Volvo Is the Ideal Way to Navigate Fashion Week Chaos

With early morning shows, late-night dinners, and unpredictable weather, editors spend as much time navigating the city as they do front rows. Getting from the Marais to the Rive Gauche in Paris with minutes to spare can feel like a feat in itself. During Paris Fashion Week, a spell of days where show invites are as much about geography as glamour, having a reliable way to get around isn’t just a luxury—it’s a must. This season, L’OFFICIEL USA's Editor-in-Chief Caroline Grosso found a bit of calm between the chaos thanks to a new set of wheels: Volvo’s fully electric compact SUV, the EX40. Quiet and low-key, it offered a rare moment of stillness on the go—serving as a place to catch up on emails, notes, or simply breathe between back-to-back shows.

With events scattered across the city, the challenges were familiar: traffic near the Arc de Triomphe, narrow pickups outside Palais de Tokyo, downpours that turn sidewalks into puddles. But riding in the Volvo EX40 helped bring ease to the routes. Its compact size handled tricky curbside stops with little effort, while features like 360-degree cameras and navigation kept things moving smoothly and safely, even when traffic was intense.

As a Swedish automaker, Volvo has long championed a minimalist, human-first philosophy, and the EX40 is no exception. Inside, the cabin is practical and uncluttered, meaning it’s more functional than flashy. There’s a spot to charge devices, stash a camera, or, ideal for a busy executive, space to collect thoughts in between meetings. With the streets buzzing and schedules shifting, the compact SUV offered a sense of control in a week when everything else was often in flux.

Of course, the e-SUV isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s smart—Google Maps integration, Apple CarPlay, voice-controlled Google Assistant, a Harman Kardon sound system, and an advanced air purification system come together to create a smooth ride. With up to 296 miles of electric range, there’s no need to ever worry about having enough juice to get to your destination.

When evening falls, ambient lighting glowing from the topographic interior panels add a sense of warmth, offering an almost cinematic atmosphere, ideal for drives to late dinners in the City of Lights at the likes of Château Voltaire. Yes, fashion week may be out the luxurious clothes and meticulously made wearables, but time is always of the essence in Paris, and Volvo’s e-SUV is right for the journey, every time.