Buyers were seeking brands with a story to tell and a point of difference at Première Classe, Tranoï and showrooms.

PARIS — Mirroring the runway return of expressive fashion over quiet luxury praised by retailers, buyers at the Paris trade shows and showrooms here during fashion week were looking for individualism, praising new takes on craftsmanship and brands with a story they can translate to consumers in store.

“We try to find small maker brands that sit alongside our offer,” said Charlotte Hess, founder of the Isobel & Cleo knitwear label and retail store The Atelier by Isobel & Cleo on Nantucket Island, who highlighted bags from Rabari at Première Classe and ready-to-wear from Ilk, showing at Tranoï, among her highlights. “People want to know that this dress, for instance, was made by someone I know personally. Customers are more invested in the story than ever before.”

“I feel like we’re seeing a lot of variety and newer designers,” said Stephanie Sipley, owner of SoleAmour, with three stores in Massachusetts. “It’s inspiring to see color and a lot of little adornments that give you a reason to buy it. No one needs just another white shirt,” said Sipley, who was particularly open to shopping smaller designers and quantities for customers looking for something unique.

K. , who believes the drive toward uniqueness is being fueled by the rise of Vinted and other resale platforms, with consumers shopping there for branded apparel and accessories, driving retailers to look for smaller labels more difficult to find secondhand.

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