Paris Fashion Week continued to showcase the city’s ability to attract top talent and spectacular staging despite a bruised luxury market. Saint Laurent’s runway was bathed in golden light, with giant chandeliers illuminating a glossy black outdoor catwalk and the Eiffel Tower shimmering in the background.
The front row featured icons such as Catherine Deneuve, Kate Moss, Hailey Bieber and Rami Malek. Elsewhere, Jennifer Lopez attended Stella McCartney’s rain‑soaked garden presentation, while Rihanna appeared at the avant‑garde house Matières Fécales.
Industry trends and financial backdrop
Luxury brands are navigating a difficult economic environment, but Paris remains a magnet for high‑profile attendees and ambitious collections. Last month, cosmetics giant L’Oréal overtook LVMH as France’s most valuable listed company – the first time a non‑luxury firm has led the Paris bourse since 2017.
Kering, the parent of Saint Laurent, has returned to growth after a recent downturn, yet Balenciaga continues to feel pressure and Gucci still struggles to reverse years of declining sales.
Highlights from the runway
Saint Laurent’s show centered on gold in many forms – from brittle, fluid textures to dense metallic fabrics. Models wore crinkled metallic cotton jackets, glinting lace dresses, and serpent‑shaped heel stilettos. The finale featured Polish supermodel Anja Rubik in a black look, echoing Yves Saint Laurent’s all‑gold closing in 1991, while Charlotte Gainsbourg sang to close the show.
Designer Anthony Vaccarello, marking a decade at Saint Laurent, let the collection speak for itself, sparking speculation about a possible farewell, though no departure was announced.
Other notable presentations
Chloé’s show, led by Chemena Kamali, emphasized texture with broderie anglaise, lace, pearls and vivid rainwear. Stella McCartney offered easy tailoring, coral‑like knits and denim featuring airbrushed dolphins, accompanied by David Attenborough’s voice delivering an ocean‑conservation message.
Tom Ford’s Haider Ackermann presented sharp tailoring paired with bare chests, fishnet, and geometric black swimsuits. Balmain’s Antonin Tron drew on mid‑century backstage photography, showcasing corset bodices, garters, and animal‑patterned jacquards.
Rick Owens turned the Palais de Tokyo’s reflecting pool into a runway for stone‑colored gowns, spiked tulle and crystal‑laden footwear, while Balenciaga’s Pierpaolo Piccioli highlighted couture technique applied to everyday pieces such as stitched shirts, T‑shirts and bias‑cut jeans.
Social commentary on fashion
Designers Hannah Rose Dalton and Steven Raj Bhaskaran staged a show titled “The 99 Percent” at Place de la République, blending sari‑inspired draping, shredded denim and masked‑demonstrator looks. The finale featured a gold lamé gown carrying two dummy white‑suited figures, underscoring the irony that 99 % of the world cannot afford the brand’s creations.
Overall, Paris Fashion Week demonstrated how the industry balances extravagant presentation with the reality of a downturn, seeking ways to justify luxury through technique, accessibility and bold storytelling.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
