Not since Covid-19, has there been a season such as this Paris Fashion Week Fall-Winter 25/26, which has showcased such confidence, such brazen-ness and such provided us with such complete overwhelm as to which pieces must be added to our lists-of-desire.
Fashion is BACK. We live, we travel and we want to dress well doing so and the brands who showcased in Paris know it.
With tonal undercurrents of power-dressing, hourglass emphasis everywhere and exaggerated silhouettes galore, here are the top 5 shows you should re-visit to warm you right up whilst you’re drafting your hitlist for the upcoming drop in temperatures.
1. SAINT LAURENT PARIS
Why did the hit of colour from Saint Laurent surprise so much, but not once offend? Because the tried and true brand of mystery and sex appeal was not subtle with its brush with colour at all. It was an artist’s stroke right across the runway with look after look shining brigher and brighter. But each and every look, remaining absolutely true to the Saint Laurent women who would be wearing it.
The dopamine-dressing palate and choice of models (always on point) was mesmerizing and we will also now extra inspired to be walking everywhere with our hands in our Saint Laurent pockets this season, if only to complete our look.
Images c/o SAINT LAURENT
2. SCHIAPARELLI
Extravagance, opulence and a hint of saloon? We’re on board.
After causing quite the delicious stir at Haute Couture week, all eyes were on SCHIAPARELLI as they unveiled what only can be described as molten gold desire and more belts please. The theme of the season, hourglass shapes and power-shoulders reigned on but with oh such indulgence.
Images c/o SCHIAPARELLI
3. ACNE STUDIOS
Never have we wanted a furry, long-sleeve bodysuit more. A colour palette again inspired by the power-dressing 80s where muted greys and beiges ran supreme, and captivated us with the old-money fur coats a more mature-twist on the cool ACNE girl.
Somehow the brand managed to intertwine these references of yester-year with the following add-to-cart-now pieces: the burgundy oversized clutch, the scandinavian diamond sweater and the grey fur sleeveless coat. Whilst we were not a huge fan of the moonboots on the runway, I’m sure we could be convinced due to the conviction that the collection brought to this fashion week.
Images c/o ACNE STUDIOS
4. GIVENCHY
Did Sarah’s Burton’s first collection for the luxury house breathe a breath of fresh life back into the brand… absolutely.
At first glance, you would be forgiven for thinking looks have lost their pants. However, as look by look goes by, you realise whether with pants or not, every single, piece is purposeful and will have the modern woman falling in love with the art of dressing all over again. The subliminal messaging of Burton’s artistic flair as she created enviable amplification on the classic Givenchy silhouettes. Not new for the luxury house, but just done better.
Each look, once assessed, would be a perfect addition to any wardrobe. Fishnet dressing you didn’t know you needed, a yes to super high necklines the perfect masculin-feminine suiting. All styled to perfection and that are easy to see as looks being really worn this upcoming fall, albeit at times with the addition of pants. And as each look passes you, you like it more and more as the construction is evident in the movement.
We can see the theme of the season is corroborated in the vintage palette (this time lemon sorbet, blacks and greys) and hourglass silhouette combo. Givenchy was a surprise to the top 5 this season for its unassuming yet authoritative place in the wardrobes of any of the best-dressed.
Images c/o GIVENCHY
5. ISABEL MARANT
Yes she’s the quintessential french girl: nonchalant, I-don’t-care hair, a ‘oh-I-just-threw-this-on’ look and a little disheveled in the sweet but sexy, I-just-rolled-out-of-a-strangers-bed kind of way. Only this season, she just got hotter – ‘female voices echo over electronic beats’ hot.
Completely amplified and oozing confidence, the Isabel Marant look is deconstructed and sent back in shockwaves to us stronger and sexier than ever. She almost gave back to us a little bit of the ‘tout en noir’ Saint Laurent looks that we missed this season following their injection of colour. With opening scenes reminiscent of rock concert stage lighting, the show looks shake you a little as you are surprised by the wild card impression the show leaves on you enticing you to add pieces to your buy-notes.
Doubling down on what really is the unique, but signature DNA of the brand, this collection has given many modern staples to that french girl (and guy) wardrobe and to those influenced by her.
Images c/o Isabel Marant