Ending this season off is none other than Paris where Parisian influences mix with couture and creativity! Milan left us in awe as Italian history and influences brought us back in time through flowing chiffon, delicate embellishments, and bold accessories. This year, Paris holds many surprises as all of the must-see brands are stirring up with ingenuity and authenticity.
This season, there is a total of 72 shows. Many notable houses are coming back to reveal their fall line while a few debuts from rising designers are scheduled. Notably, this year, Givenchy’s newest creative director, Sarah Burton, will be debuting her first collection for the brand. Overall, this season is one to leave a lasting impression on all attendees and the world of fashion.
Dior
This season, Dior’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, draws inspiration from Virginia Woolf’s 1928 novel, Orlando. In doing so, she captures the essence of change through the ages. In the novel, the titular character changes from a male to female. They then have to explore and navigate the transformation and what life awaits. The collection hits on the idea of timelessness as change, time, and metamorphosis are central themes.
This collection falls under recent trends of the modern bourgeoisie that arose last season. The modern bourgeoisie is classified by classic silhouettes combining with modern and simple tastes. Throughout the collection, we see Chuiri’s vision come alive as the designs were more than just pieces of fabric. They became something else, a symbol of what is hidden beneath. The clothing is indefinable as it is an expression for the change of self-evolution. Fashion grows and changes as we, ourselves, develop and new tastes become apparent.
The runway transformed into a theatrical stage, designed by playwright and theatre director, Robert Wilson, transporting the crowd into a whimsical play. A subtle hint of calm sublimity takes over the show as dark and light intertwine in a dance. Simple, yet captivating set props shift throughout the show as asteroids, icebergs, and a flying pterodactyl make various appearances.
Dior Autumn-Winter 2025-2026 – Paris Fashion Week
The show opens with a woman whistfully sitting upon a swing, slowly rocking to the hum of a soft melody. A key motif throughout the show is a plain white tee. While simple, this piece is representative of a look free from gender stereotypes. Ruffles adorn various white shirts with long hems and oversized cuffs. Pointing to the brand’s rich history, Victorian style jackets, Elizabethan corsets, and trousers nod to the Tudor era pair simplistically.
Any historian or history buff can recall the era of ruffled collars, and Dior does not shy from including various ruffle motifs throughout the collection. Ruff-like choker necklines add a more modern twist to the classic Elizabethan silhouette. Flowing fabric also incorporates a looser idea of the concept. Other details, such as frills, loose and untied ribbons, and undone jackets point to the idea of unravelling and the state of being undone.
The collection is also reminiscent of Dior’s historic influences on Parisian fashion as the illustrious J’adore Dior t-shirt takes us back. The shirt, first introduced by John Galliano, peeked behind jackets in the form of simple tees and tanks. Throughout the collection, various markers of the brand, such as applique embroidery, crinoline silhouettes, and sleek black velvet ribbons reinforce the history and timeless changes within fashion.
Schiaparelli
All eyes have been on Schiaparelli lately as Ariana Grande captivated many at the 97th Academy Awars. The singer and actress came wearing a design from the House’s Haute Couture 2025 collection. The design itself is a bustier dress in pink satin duchess and nude tulle dusted with light silk. The dress was made with 190 000 crystal sequins, rhinestones and cut beads. The body is enhanced with a clam basque inspired by an Alberto Giacometti lamp from the Maison archive.
For this season’s collection Daniel Roseberry looked towards woman for inspiration. Contradicting many beliefs, most woman dress for the female gaze and Roseberry took this as a starting off point. Roseberry was then inspired to create a wardrobe that would speak to the contradictions ingrained in women’s lives. Accordingly, this collection encapsulates the tension between both masculine and feminine, submission and dominance, and extravagance and rigor.
The title of this collection, “Lonestar,” connects to the intersectionality Roseberry aims for as the various western and cowboyesque details point to the hard masculine. However, Roseberry provides a feminine polish and shape to achieve the idea that what is hard is soft and what is soft is hard.
Schiaparelli Fall/Winter 2025/26
Gigi Hadid opens the show wearing a black wool crepe jacket with an oversized tonal shearling collar. Belt straps adorned with a large gold Keyhole bijou, the brand’s signature motif, create an emphasized cinched waist. A matching pair of high-waisted cowboy paints and western-style black leather stiletto ankle boots with rhinestone ring around the heal and a removable keyhole strap pull the look together. Accessories include Trompe l’oeil earrings in hammered brass shaped to the tail of an alligator and a Mini Secret supple bag in black grained calfskin leather embellished with gold plated cowboy belt buckles.
Keeping in mind the busy Schiaparelli woman, the brand’s new sloush-side top handle day bag is blown up proportionally. Doing so allows the Schiaparelli woman to store her entire life in one place on the go at all times. Other accessories include the Soufflé bag which comes covered in hundreds of golden studs that add a striking gleam. Hanging everyso slightly from the Schiaparelli woman’s body is various gold jewlery. Lighter than the previous collections, the simple, yet bold jewelry encapsulates her strong and apparent character. To add depth, western-inspired black leather belts enchanced by gold or silver metal buckles with various house codes, such as the keyhole, lay zigzagged ontop of each other.
Taking on the runway, in a slow promenade, is black jacquad leather print circle coat that captivates the audience. Shortly, a short bomber jacket in black lamb-skin shearling and integrated burgandy calfskin leather bustier tramps through the runway. Various pieces of knitted snake scale effect in mixed yellow, black, and brown laminate leave the mind in awe as they soften the collection.
Alternating from the black, gold, and brown color scheme, a blue technical velvet coat and mini dress shakes up the collection. Closing the show is a long sleeved body in trompe l’oeil crocodile scales with scalloped edged detailed with silver cords and delicate offwhite floral bouquets.
McQueen – Paris Fashion Week
Alexander McQueen is known for lavish and avant-garde designs. The brand’s current creative director, Seán McGirr, is keeping up that legacy with his latest collection. McGirr was appointed creative director at the end of 2023, and within the past year, his craft is reminiscent of the brand’s classic concepts. When he first started, he faced many critiques on his weak tailoring that did not live up to the brand’s reputation. Although no one could truly ever live up to the extravagance that was Alexander McQueen.
This year’s collection pulls inspiration not only from McGirr’s visions of a Victorian-rocker style, but also Oscar Wilde. The show opens with 12 black looks filling the runway with dark lace veils, lace overlays, dramatic trains and capes, and ethereal sheers pulling together the modern gothic look. McGirr describes his work as a neo-dandy as there is an abundance of visceral and tactile pleasures.
The collection borrows from the codes of the Victorian Gothic as liquid silks and textured lace with intricately traced florals lay against skin. Double-faced wool cashmere and cavalry twill wool in striking black exude a level of mystery and mystification. Contrasting those dramatic black fabrics, gold bullion embroidered cloaks and crystalline masks captivate against the solid background. As accessories, Black structured and angular hats add a dramatic flare to the otherwise simple designs.
McQueen Autumn-Winter 2025
As the collection proceeds, swirling plumes of bold fuchsia create a stark entrance. Soon enough while iced lilac and green cool down the previous contrast. Silk Georgette in cool plum, lilac, and seafoam gowns add depth as the flowing sheer fabric is cut off by ruffled trimming. Keeping up with the Elizabethan theme, various ruff collars made an appearance cutting the neck with delicate ruffles. Deep plum then mixes with black in the form of nylon jackets, and dramatically draped sheer dresses.
Soon enough, deep red chiffon gowns with delicate lace and pluming layering captivate the eye. The charm from the chantilly lace meshes with glimmering glass bead-coated tights and dramatic shearling pieces to create a sense of familiarity and emboldened flair. Victorian tradition reenters as sheer fabrics, ruffles, and a twist of McQueen’s notable edge and simple ribbons add depth and detail throughout the collection.
Vivienne Westwood
No one does Haute Couture and avant-garde quite like Vivienne Westwood and this season the brand continues to design masterpieces of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Statements are a must have, and the house’s current creative director, Andreas Kronthaler, made a statement with this latest collection. The collection itself mixes English eccentricity, refined tailoring, and irreverent silhouettes.
Punk couture is the name that reflects Krontheler’s vision as it is a fierce rebellion against the expected that mixes with the elegance that defines couture. The collection is an eclectic blend of avant-garde, streetwear, and grunge. Throughout the collection, hints of the intersectionality of gender come alive as he styles chunky masculine boots with a delicate feminine skirt.
Vivienne Westwood Autumn-Winter 2025/26 – Paris Fashion Week
The collection opens with various suits that exude a sexy power. A strong presense appears as oversized blazers drape over silken shirts, trousers cut into asymmetrical skirts, and statement trousers. Sensual tailoring mixes with bold patterns as the suited looks captivate a new idea of power. While chaotically long neck ties dangle from the neck, the designs remain consistent as hues of red pair with blue while grey, yellow, and charcoal pair with navy. A simple fedora lays calmly on the head, tying back the eccentricism of the English aristocracy influences.
Briefly, chunky winter coats, pants, and a coat-dress with bold fabric choices take over the scene. The accessories include snowboards, matching gloves, bucket hats, and minipacks. Soon enough, the collection shifts to evening wear as lighter hues take over.
Various silhouettes make their way down the catwalk including a petite off-white embroidered minidress and a ruched navy sheath dress with slightly-structured sleeves and a square neckline. Additionally, a mini-crini silhouette, a twisted-strap brocade mini, and a billowing cowl gown with matching thigh-highs maintain the theatrical streetstyle element, while blending the directed and concise precision within the design.
ANREALAGE – Paris Fashion WeekAn
Anrealage is a Japanese label founded by Kunihiko Morinaga. The brand’s mission is synonymous with pushing boundaries while bridging fashion and technology. This season, she defies just that at the American Cathedral in Paris for Fashion Week. This collection blends futurism and tradition as the use of technology blends seamlessly with traditional Japanese silhouettes.
The title of the collection is “Screen,” as a screen is a blank space of infinite possibilities. Morinaga transports us to a time when garments are a medium for messages where one can reflect and project digital information. Of course, today we use fashion as an expression of one’s self, a story, or a message. However, Morinaga takes this concept and adds a more literal sense through the use of digital screens.
It may seem unreal, but the logic behind this collection is one to marvel at. Moringa utilizes LED-LCD technology, which was developed in collaboration with MPLUSPLUS. This LED-LCD technology can be manipulated just as fabric is, as it can be folded, knitted, sewn, and draped into any shape. The collection also includes various knitted pieces that include LED yarns in RGB colors.
ANREALAGE AUTUMN/WINTER 2025-26
The various designs include patchwork stained-glass looks that are handcrafted from 10,000 tiny colored fabric scraps reproduced by hand in colorful weaves. The patchwork and quilting, as well as prints created with FOREARTH, a sustainable textile printer developed by KYOCERA, bring the future to life. As the designs walk up and down the runway, a new motif comes and goes every minute.
The show ends as all the garments stand together while the various looks reappear in constant motion. Soon enough, TV static, colored bars, and cascading mosaics appear across the screens. The screens shift from colorful dots and stained glass to black and white just as they explode, fading away into the initial black forms.
The collection envisions a world of wearable technology that reinvents the world of fashion and art. Through this, Anrealage reminds us that the future we often look forward to is already here. It is the reality that we are living in.
Once again, Fashion Week is here to remind us of the power of creativity and ingenuity that continues to shape the world. As we grow, so do our styles, what we have now is just a peek at what is to come.
