This fashion week season has been majorly about debuts and rewriting the rules of fashion all over again. Alessandro Michele’s Valentino collection, for example, was staged in a luxury restroom (because why not?), Sarah Burton took her first bow at Givenchy, and Seán McGirr’s McQueen felt straight out of Dickens’ darkest pages. Even the runways got fresh faces—Naomi Watts’ daughter Kai Schreiber made her modelling debut. Here are all the highlights from Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2025/26 so far.
Who Knew Public Restrooms Could Be So Chic? Valentino Did.
One of the most talked-about runways right now? You Guessed it. Alessandro Michele’s Valentino collection was anything but predictable—unless, of course, you also guessed “decadent fever dream staged in a designer restroom.” Models floated through glossy red-tiled stalls, draped in layers, feathered collars, and couture with a new edge. Naomi Watts’ daughter made her runway debut, Chappell Roan arrived in full Michele grandeur, and just like that, Valentino got its mischief back. Corporate? Never. Couture with a wink? Absolutely.
Alexander McQueen‘s Poetic Stroll Through Victorian Dandyism
Victorian London, but make it Paris! If Charles Dickens were a fashion designer, this would be his moment. Seán McGirr’s third McQueen collection is a dark, poetic stroll through Victorian dandyism—flounced dresses with dramatic lacing, gothic corsetry, and blood-red satins that move like liquid under the lights. Figure-hugging silhouettes elevated the looks while sharp tailoring balanced out the romance. Dramatic dressing is back, and McQueen is making it literary.
Balenciaga is Less Spectacle, More Substance This Season
Demna has pressed pause on the shock factor (for now). Instead of headline-chasing stunts, Balenciaga’s FW25 show was all about clean, structured designs—sharp businesswear, crisp corset shirts, sculptural coats, and denim skirts reworked into high-fashion essentials. All presented against a minimalist backdrop at Cour du Dôme des Invalides that made the message clear: no distractions, just pure craftsmanship. If you’ve been craving a reset on statement dressing, Demna just handed it to you.
Stella McCartney Just Rebranded the Office Job
Stella McCartney just rebranded the office job none of us applied for—but at least the wardrobe’s good. Her Fall/Winter 2025 show, staged as “STELLACORP,” turned a corporate fever dream into a runway, complete with water coolers, desk clutter, and boardroom power suits that mean business. Think slouchy, low-waisted tailoring, draped eveningwear for after-hours, and sustainable fabrics proving that saving the planet can still look expensive. Workwear, but McCartney-fied.
Sarah Burton’s First Chapter at Givenchy
There was zero hesitation in Sarah Burton’s debut at Givenchy. Stepping into a legacy brand comes with pressure, but Burton didn’t flinch, delivering a collection that balanced archival elegance with modern attitude. Strong-shouldered coats, razor-sharp tailoring, and a new take on Givenchy’s signature draping gave us a glimpse into the house’s next era. If this is where she’s starting, expect the momentum to keep building.
Celebrity Tea, So Far
As always, Paris Fashion Week delivered a star-studded spectacle on and off the runway, especially in the week’s latter half. From surprise catwalk cameos by pop culture icons to front rows packed with Hollywood stars and fashion muses, the City of Light was abuzz with celebrity moments.
Gigi Hadid owned Le Grand Dîner du Louvre in a crystal-drenched Jeremy Scott gown, her silver bob slicing through the noise like a couture guillotine. Meanwhile, at Valentino, Naomi Watt’s daugher Kai Schreiber’s debut in a leopard minidress and feathered collar was a soft launch into the world of high fashion lineage.
Stella McCartney’s front row served up legacy chic, with Kate Moss effortlessly unbothered and Cameron Diaz reminding everyone that true icons don’t fade, they just take longer breaks.
Then came Chappell Roan, proving that bows can be the ultimate statements, while Doechii ditched footwear at Chloé, leaving the quiet luxury crowd clutching their pearls.
