With Paris Fashion Week Men’s FW26 coming to a close, the fashion world collectively holds its breath for what follows after: Haute Couture Week. Running from Monday, January 26, till Thursday, January 29, the week is rooted in craft, technique, and design, going beyond the confines of fashion; it lives beyond trend, pace, commerce, and “hype”. However, the hype this year is palpable. Between the recent loss of fashion giants, creative director debuts, and historic international entries, there is no doubt that the following week is an important one on the fashion calendar. So, for those unsure about the upcoming presentations, here is everything you can expect at Paris Haute Couture Week 2026.
Paris Welcomes Its First Vietnamese Couturier
Making history as the youngest and first Vietnamese designer to present at Paris Haute Couture Week, Phan Huy is set to bring craft and narratives rooted in his cultural identity. At 26 years old, the visionary has previously presented at Paris Fashion Week, and his designs were frequently spotted on red carpets, most notably at the Cannes Film Festival. The Vietnamese atelier combines traditional Vietnamese weaving techniques and plant-based dyeing with laser technology to bring forth contemporary pieces while still keeping Vietnam’s artisan heritage alive. His show aims to present just that, reshaping the fashion ecosystem right at its capital.
Chanel and Dior Make Their Much-Anticipated Debuts
With the range of creative director debuts that took place last year during Paris Fashion Week’s ready-to-wear shows, the upcoming seasons only provide further anticipation for what comes next. Matthieu Blazy has made history by joining Chanel’s intimate pool of creative directors, and his work so far proves why he belongs there. With two widely praised collections, expectations are high for the French-Belgian designer, who is reframing the maision’s house codes for future generations.
And if Matthieu Blazy has some tough shoes to fill, then so does Jonathan Anderson, where each presentation of his is followed by rapid online discussion, thoughtful critique, and intense breakdowns. Assuming his role as creative director in 2025, the house decided to skip the July couture season, adding to the excitement for the Irish designer’s first haute couture presentation. If his previous menswear and womenswear debuts are anything to go by, we can expect a nuanced approach, with a slew of silhouettes, cuts, and other details referencing Dior’s 80 years of history.
What Comes Next for the Fashion Giants
With the recent passing of Giorgio Armani and Valentino Garavani, the fashion world has been left with an unexpected hole. Now the baton passes to Silvana Armani and Alessandro Michele.
As Armani remained intimately involved with the maison, it’s only right that the future of the house’s vision falls onto his niece. Working alongside the late designer in womenswear collections, the designer will now oversee the couture collection as well, and her first presentation this Wednesday will mark a pivotal moment for the atelier.
Valentino Garavani, however, made his retirement in 2008, allowing the house to go through a range of creative directors that further built upon his vision. The latest of the bunch is Alessandro Michele, who assumed the role in 2024. This season will mark Michele’s sophomore collection, cementing his creative vision for the house while also honouring Valentino’s legacy.
