Paris Fashion Week has come to an end, and with it, the end of fashion month. It was a week of exciting debuts, interesting scenarios, and beautiful looks. The capital offered fashion visitors a couple of sunny and rare warm days, prompting everyone to trade their coats for sunglasses, specifically the Ray-Ban Meta x Coperni, the hottest collab of the season. The 72 shows and 31 presentations not only displayed the craftsmanship heritage of the French market but also its desire to innovate and bring its technical and style knowledge into the 21st century.
This fashion week saw a decline in genderless silhouettes; it was all about women this time. Designers highlighted women’s personal journeys and their intimate relationship with clothing. The female body was at the center of the week, but not in a delicate way—rather, in a strong, sensual, and feminine way. Cinched waists, wide shoulders, and simple cuts showcased a confident woman whose sexuality was empowering. Saint Laurent and Tom Ford brought back the Femme Fatale silhouette of the ’80s and ’90s with an unapologetic and self-assured representation of women. Seen at Givenchy, Stella McCartney, and Miu Miu, most of the trend points to a feminization of masculine attire, from suits to pencil skirts, oversized coats, structural constructions, and fluid textures. The focus is on the natural curves of the body.
Escapism through traveling was seen in bohemian chic aesthetics. More than a trend, designers represented the idea of a personal journey and the discoveries brought along. Leonard Paris explored the concept of the modern-day nomad through fluid and romantic looks in bold patterns. For Louis Vuitton, it was through dark floral slip dresses. The looks were paired with modern pieces such as jackets to create an interesting juxtaposition of styles. As for Chemena Kamali’s Chloé, she focused on the evolution of women’s lives through romantic and flowy blouses, skirts with volume, lace dresses, and big accessories.
We also saw a return to maximalism. Quiet Luxury has been (quietly) leaving the runways to make space for ruffles, embellishments, and fashion extravaganza. Voluminous gowns, prints, textures, and movement in the clothing showcased a need for creativity and a longing for wild expression. Alaïa showcased this through voluptuous shapes and draped gowns that gave women a statuesque figure. Alessandro Michele for Valentino merged textures with colors, and at McQueen, voluminous skirts were seen in rich embellishments and motifs, creating an amalgam of styles.
Designers also explored their most playful and innovative side through not-so-serious clothing, showcasing their creativity and fun side. In some shows, fantasy reigned over realism, transporting us into a lively and exuberant rendition of fashion. Prosthetic breasts and lampshade hats made a statement, while the bunnies at Kenzo were joyful. Undercover showcased a teddy bear-shaped puffer jacket, and Hoda Kova demonstrated its technical mastery through violin suits.