Highlights from Paris Fashion Week 2025

Paris Fashion Week 2025 showcased a series of unforgettable collections that combined nostalgic references, bold escapist fantasies, and poignant reflections on world events. A standout season for haute couture, the week saw 29 prestigious fashion houses unveiling their Spring-Summer 2025 collections, with a mix of stunning craftsmanship, creative vision, and political commentary.

Dior's Chief Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri embraced the creativity of past centuries for her collection, drawing inspiration from historical styles. Her show, set at the Rodin Museum, featured retro draped skirts, short crinolines, and trapeze dresses that paid homage to Yves Saint Laurent’s 1950s designs for the iconic Parisian house. Chiuri’s approach brought a sense of timelessness to the runway, blending the elegance of the past with modern sensibilities.
At Schiaparelli, Daniel Roseberry created a mesmerizing collection inspired by vintage ribbons from the 1920s and 30s. The collection prominently featured corsets, including a show-stopping ensemble worn by model Kendall Jenner. Roseberry’s vision was clear: to travel through time and recreate haute couture silhouettes that reflect the grandeur of the past.
For many, haute couture represents pure escapism - a world of beauty, craftsmanship, and fantasy. Zuhair Murad’s collection exemplified this idea, taking inspiration from an idyllic tropical island, far removed from the struggles of modern life. Murad described his vision of a peaceful refuge, where nature, serenity, and escapism reign over chaos.
Meanwhile, French designer Franck Sorbier used his collection, "Symphonie Barbare," to tackle the serious themes of war and peace. Featuring "warriors of peace" in tassel-adorned trapeze gowns, Sorbier’s theatrical show included music, singing, and dance, ending with the powerful message of “peace and love,” displayed on a black anorak.
Dutch duo Viktor & Rolf turned their attention to the future, using their collection to comment on the rise of artificial intelligence. Their show featured 24 variations of the same dress, exploring the idea of human interpretation and the endless possibilities AI offers in fashion design.
Alongside these powerful statements, the fashion world witnessed significant shifts among top designers. Stella McCartney announced her departure from the LVMH group, while Glenn Martens was appointed as artistic director at Maison Margiela, succeeding John Galliano. Meanwhile, speculation surrounding Maria Grazia Chiuri’s future at Dior continues, with whispers of Jonathan Anderson from Loewe taking the helm.

Chanel also faced changes, with the brand’s creative studio taking charge of its latest show after Virginie Viard’s sudden departure in June. Matthieu Blazy, who was appointed as the new creative director in December, is expected to unveil his first collection for Chanel in September.

As always, Haute Couture Week closed with a spectacular bridal moment. Several houses, from Chanel to Giambattista Valli, presented stunning white gowns, many featuring short fronts and long backs. Jean Paul Gaultier’s bridal offering, however, stood out with a dramatic full-length feathered gown, transparent and daring, showcasing both elegance and audacity.
In sum, Paris Fashion Week 2025 was a dazzling display of creativity, history, and bold statements, leaving us with unforgettable collections and much to look forward to in the fashion world’s ever-evolving landscape.