Paris Fashion Week has once again demonstrated why the City of Lights continues to be the global fashion capital. The eagerly anticipated Spring/Summer 2025 edition commenced on 23 September, bringing fashion month to a grand conclusion after impressive displays in New York, London, and Milan. Featuring 66 runway shows and 40 presentations, the week promised to be a thrilling spectacle for fashion aficionados. Renowned houses such as Dior, Saint Laurent, Loewe, Chanel, and Schiaparelli are set to showcase their latest Spring-Summer ‘25 collections, alongside presentations from Hermès, Mugler, and Miu Miu. Here are some of the notable highlights so far.
Alessandro Michele Made a Maximalist Valentino Runway Debut at Paris Fashion Week
Alessandro Michele’s highly anticipated debut for Valentino was nothing short of enchanting. Set in a living room that felt like it was undergoing a renovation, complete with stools, ladders, and lamps draped in white sheets, the atmosphere hinted at a transformation. It was a poetic nod to a revival of past glories, creating an ideal backdrop for a “maximalist-lite” showcase that beautifully balanced history with Michele’s distinctive flair. Titled “Pavillon des Folies,” the show drew a star-studded front row, with the likes of Harry Styles, Elton John, and Jared Leto in attendance, while eager industry insiders peered from behind curtain-clad seats. Michele’s collection was a conversation starter, turning life’s moments into something rich and layered. It featured an abundance of lavish silhouettes, from bow-adorned dresses to sparkling sequined pieces and intricate embroideries. On the runway, regal tuxedo jackets, ruffled gowns, and pearl-adorned men’s tops captivated the audience. The decorative bowties, feathered hats, and ornamental crystals added a whimsical touch. It was a celebration of extravagant classicism, blending regency style with a contemporary edge. Michele's Valentino left a lasting impression, earning a well-deserved standing ovation.
Alia Bhatt made her debut at Paris Fashion Week 2024 as the Global Brand Ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, wearing a custom couture creation by Gaurav Gupta
Alia Bhatt has recently been named the Global Brand Ambassador for L'Oréal Paris, and she made a stunning runway debut at the L'Oréal Paris – Le Défilé show, wearing a striking couture piece by Gaurav Gupta. Her outfit featured a remarkable metal-cast silver breastplate, elegantly designed with the heads and wings of swans entwined with a serpent's body, paired with contemporary black flared sharara trousers. This modern take on an Indian silhouette harks back to Gupta’s ‘Aaronaham’ collection, which debuted at Paris Couture Week for Spring/Summer 2024. To complement her look, Alia chose the Infallible Matte Resistance 601 in “Worth It,” a lovely pinky nude shade. Couturier Gaurav Gupta expressed his pride in dressing Alia for her debut at Paris Fashion Week, saying, “This is a significant moment for us. Alia embodies the values of Gaurav Gupta Couture—she’s bold, fearless, and futuristic. Her presence on the runway wearing our designs not only highlights our artistic vision but also elevates Indian couture on a global stage, beautifully showcasing the harmony between tradition and innovation.”
Bella Hadid returns to the runway after a 2-year break for the Saint Laurent showcase
Bella Hadid made a stunning return to the runway after a two-year break, and she did so in style with a full look from Saint Laurent. Channelling the spirit of the brand’s legendary founder, Yves Saint Laurent, Bella graced the catwalk in a black slouchy suit featuring an oversized blazer, baggy trousers, a crisp white shirt, a black tie, and thick black-framed glasses. This ensemble showcased Vaccarello’s vision of empowering YSL's clientele with oversized outerwear, sharp lapels, shiny leather belts, and elegant ties. While the suits carried a masculine vibe, they exuded strength on Bella’s feminine figure, highlighting the designer's knack for blending traditional forms with modern femininity. Vaccarello’s approach revealed a sense of order and restraint that made the clothing feel more serious and refined. To balance the more structured office looks, the collection also featured YSL's signature eveningwear, which embraced a more chaotic flair. Shimmering cropped coats adorned with subtle floral patterns, skin-tight dresses with lace accents, ruffled skirts, and dramatic tops with floral necklines added a vibrant touch. The designs truly captured the essence of a muse who knows how to work hard while looking fabulous.
Christian Louboutin brought to the runway an artistic show choreographed by Blanca Li, celebrating dance in all its forms
Christian Louboutin presented a stunning show at Paris's historic Piscine Molitor, choreographed by Blanca Li, that celebrated the beauty of dance in all its forms. Co-created with artistic director David LaChapelle, this artistic performance was nothing short of a visual feast. In a daring twist, the French Olympic artistic swimming team made history by performing in heels for the first time, perfectly showcasing Louboutin’s Women’s SS2025 collection. Set in the beautiful Art Deco monument designed by Lucien Pollet in 1929, the show featured not just dancers but also a captivating music performance by singer-songwriter LP. Louboutin has long held a fascination with dance and the aquatic world, and this show merged these passions into a vibrant spectacle that transported guests to a world reminiscent of 1950s Hollywood water ballets, all while embracing a modern, pop culture aesthetic. Louboutin noted, “What unites us is our love for dance. Blanca has made it her world, David infuses it into his art, and I started by designing shoes for dancers.” The Piscine Molitor was transformed into a kaleidoscope of motion, with colourful projections dancing across the walls and shimmering in the water, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The entire performance, which involved 14 dancers and 15 swimmers in stunning metallic Miss Z shoes, was a celebration of synchronicity and grace, leaving the audience mesmerised. As the final act unfolded and the swimmers vanished beneath the surface, the iconic red soles floated above the water, a playful nod to Louboutin’s signature style. The result was a breathtaking, unforgettable experience that blended art, fashion, and performance into a seamless narrative.
Dior opened Paris Fashion Week with a collection reviving a 1960s
Dior Sport logo featuring tracksuit pants with go-faster stripes and stretchy tank tops Dior kicked off Paris Fashion Week with a vibrant collection that brought back the 1960s Dior Sport logo, featuring stylish tracksuit pants with racing stripes and stretchy tank tops. Maria Grazia Chiuri aimed to explore the essence of clothing, allowing each model to express the journey behind their design. By blending the garment’s intention with its function, she highlighted the connection between the body and what it wears. Drawing inspiration from the archives, she revisited the iconic Amazone dress from Christian Dior’s autumn-winter 1951-52 collection, celebrating a strong, independent femininity. The silhouettes in this collection are bold and graphic, showcasing a mix of checks and contrasting lines that playfully highlight the Miss Dior logo. White shirts paired with black skirts and dresses create a striking duality, while shimmering metallic embroidery and glossy embellishments on sports shirts add a modern twist, making the collection both dynamic and timeless.
Rabanne returned to the runway and debuted the most expensive bag, made with 18-karat solid gold
Rabanne made a striking return to the runway at Paris Fashion Week, unveiling what they claim is the "most expensive bag" in the world. This eye-catching accessory, crafted from 18-karat solid gold, follows a recent buzz when singer Chappell Roan donned the brand’s medieval chainmail dress at the MTV VMA Awards. The bag pays homage to a 1968 design created by Paco Rabanne for the iconic Françoise Hardy, linking back to his history of luxurious pieces. The 1969 Nano bag is a stunning one-of-a-kind creation, drawing inspiration from Rabanne's legendary “most expensive dress,” which was made from gold and diamonds. Creative director Julien Dossena has tapped into Rabanne’s rich archives, reviving the designer’s unique approach to materials. The handcrafted 1969 Golden Bag took 100 hours to create and is priced at €250,000. Other standout pieces include the Murano Glass Bag and the Ceramic Bag, showcasing Rabanne's innovative spirit and commitment to high-quality craftsmanship.
Schiaparelli's SS'25 is all about future vintage
The Schiaparelli spring/summer 2025 collection at Paris Fashion Week was a stunning showcase of artistry and bold design, marking the return of one of the most beautiful supermodels in the industry. Set against a striking dark blue backdrop at Place Vendôme, the runway created a captivating atmosphere that complemented the collection's vibrant colours. Creative director Daniel Roseberry expressed his vision for the collection as future vintage, aiming to create pieces not just for clients, but also for their daughters and granddaughters. The show opened with corsets that highlighted bold shapes, drawing attention to the waist, while tailored outfits featured sharp lines alongside flowing dresses that embraced dramatic volume. Each piece felt like a work of art, balancing structure with movement. The vibrant colour palette included fierce reds and radiant blues, along with softer pastels like pale blue and ashy pink, adding delicate contrasts. Accessories were equally impressive, showcasing sculpted jewellery, oversized earrings, and dramatic long gloves that enhanced the vintage spirit. Models like Kendall Jenner and Adriana Lima graced the runway, adding to the excitement and diversity of the show.
Hermès SS'25 was all about mesh crop tops and calfskin coats in tan hues and the new inside-out Birkin bag
Hermès’ spring/summer 2025 collection was a vibrant exploration of mesh crop tops and calfskin coats in warm tan hues, along with the innovative inside-out Birkin bag named Sweet Spring. This season, Hermès embraced sheer materials, using them to create transparent summer looks that are both playful and chic. The use of zippers added a bold touch, featuring prominently in trousers and bodysuits. The show’s setting, framed by wooden panels, highlighted the theme of the design’s foundation—showcasing the journey from sketch to final garment. What stood out was the focus on wearability; each piece seemed crafted with the wearer’s experience in mind. The collection combined functional elements with elegance, featuring stretchy fabrics that move gracefully with the body, and industrial zippers that added flair to slinky dresses. Leather remained a standout, transformed into short tops, mini skirts, and tailored trousers, often enhanced with intricate pattern cutting. The patterns on silk and leather reflected an ethnic inspiration, contributing to the adventurous and unique spirit of the collection.
LOEWE Spring Summer 2025 show championed flowy silhouettes where tailoring is reduced to a curvaceous flow, draping moves in circles
The LOEWE spring/summer 2025 show celebrated fluid silhouettes, where tailoring took a back seat to flowing designs that moved gracefully. With clever use of boning and wiring, skirts swayed and flared dramatically. The collection included playful leather mini-capes, shiny sequins reminiscent of wet pavement, Impressionist floral dresses, and bold sculptural trousers. A standout piece was the printed feather T-shirts, showcasing motifs inspired by classical music and Impressionist art—a refreshing twist on the classic graphic tee. The accessories added a practical touch, with models sporting comfortable flats like boat shoes and oxfords. Anderson also introduced updated versions of his iconic Puzzle bag and a new trapezoidal design named the Madrid.
Balmain's creative director, Olivier Rousteing, took inspiration from the brand's beauty line and infused it with clothing
Balmain’s spring/summer 2025 show was undoubtedly one of the highlights of Paris Fashion Week, with Olivier Rousteing drawing inspiration from the brand’s beauty line to create striking clothing. He referenced the “New French Style” that defined Monsieur Balmain's work while putting his own twist on the brand’s signature aesthetic. The collection featured realistic embroidery of faces, nails, and lips on architectural silhouettes, showcasing Rousteing's artistic flair. He introduced rounded shapes for skirts and dresses, echoing a memorable piece he wore to the Met Gala. With a focus on powerful shoulders, angular waists, and sparkling embellishments, the collection paid homage to Pierre Balmain’s ornate style from the mid-20th century while incorporating Rousteing’s modern sensibilities. The striking blend of vintage and contemporary fashion was evident, especially in the everyday looks that Rousteing loves. The show concluded with models in simple silk sheaths, celebrating the diverse beauty of the Balmain community.
Dries Van Noten debuted its first collection without its namesake designer but the collection honoured Van Noten’s legacy
Dries Van Noten’s brand showcased its first collection at Paris Fashion Week without its legendary namesake designer, who retired in June after an impressive 38-year career. With no new creative director appointed yet, the in-house team took inspiration from Van Noten's archives to create the Spring 2025 collection. The designers did a fantastic job honouring his legacy, featuring his signature bold prints, luxurious textiles, and sophisticated silhouettes. The collection was a delightful chaos of animal prints, vibrant colours, strong stripes, and imaginative graphics, resulting in a unique visual feast that felt almost magical. Pieces like snakeskin trench coats paired with satin shirts and bomber jackets with ornamental skirts epitomised true eclecticism. While formal wear showcased a crisp pinstripe blazer with a single lapel, vivid evening gowns in lime green and lace dresses hinted at more adventurous outings. The collection's colour palette transitioned beautifully, maintaining a sense of excitement throughout. Van Noten himself was present and likely pleased with the brand's promising direction.
At Chloé, Chemena Kamali brought back hobo bags and a 70s spirit
At Chloé, Chemena Kamali embraced a vibrant 70s spirit with her Spring/Summer 2025 collection, reviving hobo bags and a sense of whimsy. Her show at Paris Fashion Week featured an enchanting mix of flou shirting, bubble hems, crochet onesies, and flowing cami dresses, alongside lace-trimmed knickerbockers that added a playful touch. Kamali's vision, dubbed the "Freedom Collection," was all about capturing the essence of summer, reflected in the delicate guipure lace and tiered dresses that exuded a dreamy vibe. The fabrics had a sun-faded look as if they had enjoyed their own summer getaway, enhancing the romantic feel of the collection. Kamali's deep understanding of Chloé’s history shone through in well-tailored jackets and 70s-style trousers, complemented by unexpected pieces like a flamingo-printed bathing suit and whimsical bloomers. Accessories, including shell and stone jewellery, added a personal touch, while raffia bags and jelly flats screamed summer fun.
Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2025
French fashion has long been a subtle yet powerful influence, blending the art of living with a unique sense of style. The Louis Vuitton Women's Spring-Summer 2025 collection captures this essence perfectly, embracing contrasts that keep the designs in constant motion. This collection showcases a balance between soft and strong elements—fluid yet structured, delicate but bold. It’s all about exploring the paradoxes, from lightness with depth to femininity that is both graceful and resolute.
Inspired by these themes, select pieces feature artwork by Laurent Grasso, drawing from his "Studies into the Past" series. The runway atmosphere is heightened by a soundtrack from Jamie xx’s album "In Waves," adding another layer of depth to the experience. This season’s collection embodies a poetic interplay of contrasts, making it both captivating and inspiring.
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