Fashion Week is winding down, and what better way to cap off this glamour-doused season than with a spectacular show in the fashion capital, Paris – the city where streets feel nothing less than a runway. This season kicked off with celebrated labels like Dior and Yves Saint Laurent unveiling their collections early, leaving us delightfully sated. But the real buzz? Bella Hadid’s sensational return after a two-year hiatus, which has everyone talking! With whispers of major fashion moments on the horizon for Autumn, this season promises to leave an unforgettable mark. Get ready, because the excitement is just getting started!
Vanquera
The label leaned strongly on returning to basics while adding their signature twist. This stands true to the essence of Vanquera, which translates to ‘cowgirl’ in Spanish. The brand brought in the Rodeo energy at the SS25 runway. While commemorating its 10-year anniversary, designers DiCaprio and Taubensee have crafted some bankable signatures while launching their first footwear. The brand looked at traditional luxury through the lens of American sportswear. From exaggerated silhouettes to bullet-bra tops and gold chain graphics alongside western belt buckles and faux fur scarf, the collection was downright great!
Schiaparelli
Daniel Roseberry’s surrealist vision has transformed Schiaparelli into one of the most talked about brands. His designs have quite strongly intrigued even those with little fashion knowledge by simply looking at them. The designer’s aim in the collection, Future Vintage, was to create clothing not merely for its clients but also for their daughters and granddaughters who were harnessing timelessness. The assemblage showcased some snatched waist looks with trompe l’oiel detailing and anatomical footwear that gave the silhouettes a modern outlook with a femme fatale edge.
Balmain
Olivier Rousteing’s aim was to embody the essential traits that define and make up the essence of modern Balmain by reinvigorating the hallmark designs. Monsieur Balmain’s breakthrough “New French Style” and, more specifically, his historical “Jolie Madame” silhouette covered the prolific designer’s mood board for the season. Focusing on the label’s distinctive elements – powerful shoulders, angular waists and glittering embellishments – echoed Pierre Balmain’s ornamentalism from the 1940s and ’50s, while much of the line’s styling was more akin to Rousteing’s everyday look – a satisfying blend of old and new. Rousteing’s realistic canvas pieces required hundreds of thousands of crystals, which were embroidered onto his structured silhouettes over the course of several weeks.
Issey Miyake
The Issey Miyake show, titled “The Beauty of Paper,” delved into the natural origins of paper. Under the creative guidance of Satoshi Kondo and his design team, the collection paid tribute to Washi, a traditional Japanese paper made from shrubs and bushes, while celebrating the broader history of papermaking. The fabrics fell gracefully, adding depth, and their unique texture enabled the designer to create intricately folded silhouettes.
Yves Saint Laurent
The brand delivered a masterclass in power dressing, taking us back to the early 1980s. Bella Hadid led the charge and helmed a battalion of fierce female models. But the surprises didn’t stop there; the collection also showcased striking androgynous boardroom fits. Few houses are as synonymous with a quintessential female archetype as Saint Laurent, whose ideal woman embodies a complexity that transcends the seductive perfection of classic muses. With a keen eye on this collection, Vaccarello’s vision of the Saint Laurent woman is fiercely independent. Naturally, there was also a generous dose of signature, sophisticated YSL eveningwear to perfectly balance the office-ready styles, creating a dynamic and versatile collection
Valentino
After what seemed like two long years, Alessandro Michele is back on the runway trading Gucci for Valentino. The smashed mirror floors felt as though the house was ready to shake off the past for the dawn of a new era, infusing his main character energy into the designs. The designer reinvigorated the house archives dating back to the 60s, 70s & 80s, reshaping them for the modern day. with every detail carrying a rich backstory. In unison, the collection built a whole new Valentino world filled with aristocratic, posh, tantalising and intimidating characters. It was Regency fashion at its finest, extravagant classicism to its core. The maison also witnessed some Indian references like turbans, bejewelled payals and naths, and ensembles in paisley prints. The fiery red that’s synonyms with the label was seen flaring bright despite being showcased in a little sneak peek.
Courrèges
Nicolas Di Felice once again mastered the art of blending inventive details with wearable designs, featuring space-age hoods, rectangular tops and cut-out details – starting with the iconic 1962 haute couture cape. Courrèges’ SS25 collection became a minimalist’s paradise. Crisp lines, bold asymmetry, and subtle, rebellious accents gave each outfit a distinctive edge. The futuristic ’60s aesthetic, championed by founder André Courrèges, was skillfully reinterpreted with modern sensuality, channelling the fearless energy of contemporary fashion while honouring the brand’s space-age heritage. Each look seamlessly flowed into the next, creating a cohesive, forward-thinking vision.
Coperni
The Coperni show felt like a nostalgic journey, evoking the inner child in everyone with its vibrant and sugar-rushed atmosphere. Set away from the Louvre, the event unfolded against the enchanting backdrop of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in three enchanting acts. It kicked off with a celebration of youth featuring vintage Disney T-shirts, denim, and Victorian elements. A sudden thunderclap signalled the shift to the “villains” segment, where Irina Shayk donned a daring asymmetric leather trench, and Paloma Elsesser showcased a grunge-glam. The show concluded with the princesses: Jill Kortleve in a shredded caramel gown, Lila Moss in a sheer mini embellished with corsages, and Kendall Jenner closing the show in a striking black ballgown.
Vetements
At the Vetements show, a constellation of stars lit up the runway, with Travis Scott setting the tone, soon joined by Gigi Hadid, Heidi Klum, and Law Roach. The collection, fittingly named “Time To Clean Up The Mess”, imagined a future where consumers turn away from the excesses of luxury fashion. Embracing a DIY mentality, they repurpose what remains into innovative, conceptual creations rather than indulging in mindless consumption.
Chloé
Chemena Kamali beautifully encapsulated the essence of a sun-drenched summer in her SS25 collection for Chloé. This line evokes the season’s warmth, freedom, and carefree joy, resembling a heartfelt ode to those fleeting moments of sunlight and lazy afternoons, where style flows naturally and exudes an effortless charm. By merging playful silhouettes with delicate lace and vibrant leather, Kamali infused the entire show with the euphoric spirit of summer, leaving us mesmerised.