Paris Fashion Week in 2025 showcased a mix of established luxury houses and up-and-coming designers, with a focus on bold statements, new creative visions, and a blend of tradition with modern sensibilities. The shows, spanning both ready-to-wear and haute couture seasons, highlighted several key trends and notable moments.
Major Trends
- Deconstructed and Reimagined Silhouettes: Designers embraced a sense of “deconstructing clothing,” with pieces that were worn inside-out, had one sleeve, or were cut in half. This trend was seen at houses like Zomer and Givenchy.
- Voluminous Proportions: Oversized and exaggerated shapes were prominent, from voluminous skirts at Balenciaga to large, padded shoulders at brands like Balmain and Stella McCartney.
- Rich Materials and Textures: Leather and faux fur were star materials, appearing in everything from coats and jackets to skirts and accessories. Felt also made an appearance in collections like Hermès.
- Bold Colors and Prints: While many collections stuck to a muted palette of blacks, grays, and whites, there were splashes of vibrant color, especially yellow, and unapologetic animal prints.
- The Return of Y2K and ’80s Styles: The early 2000s and 1980s made a strong comeback, seen in the return of underarm bags, knee-high socks, and sharp, structured power suits with cinched waists and broad shoulders.
- Sustainable and Ethical Fashion: Sustainability continued to be a significant theme, with many designers prioritizing eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices. Stella McCartney, for example, showcased a collection using innovative recycled fabrics.
Notable Designers and Collections
- Saint Laurent: Creative director Anthony Vaccarello presented a masterful collection focused on a single, clean silhouette—an inverted A-line with broad-shouldered blouses and pencil skirts. The show was a highlight, with its oil-slick black runway and a rich palette of fabrics and colors.
- Miu Miu: Miuccia Prada continued her exploration of femininity with a collection that featured pointed bra tops, fur stoles, and oversized overcoats. The show captured a mood of “bourgeois Milanese glamour” with a disruptive edge, and featured celebrities like Sarah Paulson walking the runway.
- Givenchy: The much-anticipated debut of Sarah Burton as creative director was met with acclaim. Her collection was praised for its sophisticated elegance and a return to the house’s foundational artisanal craftsmanship.
- Tom Ford: Haider Ackermann’s debut collection for Tom Ford was a major talking point. It was celebrated for its sleek, tailored, and classic style, free of unnecessary frills.
- Chanel: The brand’s collections, which were designed in-house ahead of Matthieu Blazy’s arrival, featured signature Chanel elements like ribbons and pearls, reinterpreted in new and elegant ways.
- Balenciaga: Demna’s final haute couture collection for the house was an emotional and visually striking tribute to old Hollywood glamour, featuring a dark, poetic aesthetic and looks worn by celebrities like Kim Kardashian.
Other Highlights
- Designer Debuts: In addition to Sarah Burton at Givenchy and Haider Ackermann at Tom Ford, Julien Klausner’s first collection for Dries Van Noten and Alessandro Michele’s debut couture collection for Valentino were among the season’s most anticipated moments.
- New Voices: Paris Fashion Week continued to support emerging talent, with LVMH Prize-winning designers like Duran Lantink and Hodakova populating the schedule. The official calendar also saw a focus on up-and-coming houses like Julie Kegels and Mossi.
- The Intersection of Fashion and Technology: Many shows embraced digital elements, including livestream broadcasts, to reach a global audience. The use of innovative materials and technology-inspired aesthetics was also evident in collections like Balmain and Louis Vuitton.