Paris Fashion Week SS26 is in no way slowing down but the range of debut and striking collections has knocked us out of our breath! We have a range of debuts to look at, from Jonathan Anderson’s monumental debut at Dior to Miguel Castro Freitas’ vision at Mugler. While the others have taken their stab on nostalgia, desire, drama, and celebration, here are all the highlights from Paris Fashion Week SS26.
Dior
With all these creative director debuts, Jonathan Anderson’s debut at Dior was one of the most anticipated. Arguably, a monumental moment for the fashion world, Jonathan Anderson’s Dior woman was nonchalant and youthful, with reimaged silhouettes from the archives. The standout was the Bar Jacket which was cropped and paired with a grey pleated mini skirt. We also saw references to an Autumn/Winter 1959 dress by Yves Saint Laurent and couture pieces by John Galliano, among others. Bows were also a central motif, a reference to the Miss Dior perfume. As a dialogue between past and present, Anderson juxtaposed the house’s archive and its codes with his contemporary vision, modernising Dior for the future.
Tom Ford
Sensuality is the star of the show here as Haider Ackermann’s Tom Ford SS26 show honoured Tom Ford’s spirit of desire. Starting off with rich lacquered coats, we are greeted with seductive cut-outs, pastel pop-ups, power dressing in silk, and loose maxi dresses that drape the body in the most sensual way. Lace, cashmere, sandals, and stilettos also added to the allure of desire. Overall, the collection was a reflection of Tom Ford’s glamour and razor-sharp tailoring paired with Ackermann’s fluid aesthetic.
Balmain
Inspired by his childhood, Olivier Rousteing’s Balmain SS26 collection is the latest to draw from a nostalgic past. Based on life spent by the sea, the collection features the spirit of freedom and movement. With a sandy colour palette on the runway, we see fringe and seashells all over, a dress resembling a towel wrap, balloon leg pants, open weave sweaters, and pleated tops draped across the body. The silhouettes were undeniably slouchy and relaxed, mimicking the lightness and airiness of being by the beach.
Louis Vuitton
A push and pull on the homebody and the extrovert, Nicolas Ghesquière’s Louis Vuitton SS26 collection was a blend of structure and slouchy. The women were glamorous, dressed for no occasion and with nowhere to go. Soft lines, billowing silhouettes, and fluidity were key, while blazers and coats offered sharp contrast. The fabrics reflected the collection’s ethos as well, with silks, shearlings, and cotton appearing throughout the runway. The modest dresser is spoilt for choice with this collection, as high necklines and loose, fluid pants, skirts, and maxi dresses dominated the runway.
Stella McCartney
Dramatic, strong, and never hesitating to take up space, that was the Stella McCartney woman in her SS26 show “Come Together”. Celebrating the designer’s legacy, we saw the runway lit up with the designer’s signature aesthetics—power, rebellion, and a festive edge. Power suits with exaggerated shoulders, layered denim, and cruelty-free feather pieces were the key highlights of this collection. Although not modest, eveningwear were confetti dresses that added to the confident aura of the collection. However, between the suits and the casual wear, the modest dresser is not left without options.
Rabanne
Bright, summery, and playful, Rabanne’s SS26 show was all about optimism and light. With a vibrant colour palette (hello butter yellow!) and nautical motifs, we were pulled into the tide of Rabanne’s show. Cut-outs were rampant, and so was intricate embroidery, feathered heels, skinny strips, sandals and chunky belts so wide it bordered on comical. Capris and midi skirts were also frequent, shaping the vision for a 2026 summer getaway.
Mugler
And another anticipated Creative Director debut, Miguel Castro Freitas reinforced the Mugler woman as sensual and glamorous. Titled ‘Stardust Aphrodite’, Mugler’s SS26 collection featured the house’s quintessential tailoring and hourglass silhouette. With a fairly neutral palette featuring flesh tones and a singular burst of chartreuse, we saw feathers that cascaded, waists dropping low, and leather that sculpted. Although not as provocative as what we expect from Mugler, it was a taste of Freitas’s sensual vision and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
