Paris Fashion Week has officially launched with exciting shows by renowned designers such as Saint Laurent and Weinsanto. This event follows a spectacular display in Milan honoring Giorgio Armani, who passed away in early September, adding a layer of emotion and nostalgia to the proceedings.
With the Milan showcase now complete, all eyes are on Paris, where the Spring-Summer 2026 season represents a pivotal point for the luxury fashion landscape. The spotlight is particularly on Matthieu Blazy, the newly appointed creative director at Chanel, whose highly anticipated debut on October 6 is creating major buzz among fashion aficionados.
On the inaugural day of Paris Fashion Week, Weinsanto and Belgian newcomer Julie Kegels set the stage, the latter attracting Spanish pop sensation Rosalía to her front-row audience. It’s expected that today’s Saint Laurent presentation at Place du Trocadéro will draw an even higher concentration of celebrities, adding flair to the fashion spectacle.
The previous evening’s Giorgio Armani show in Milan showcased prominent figures like Cate Blanchett and Glenn Close, celebrating the last collection designed by the fashion legend before his death at 91. Originally intended to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his brand, the Milan show transformed into a heartfelt tribute.
As Paris Fashion Week unfolds, a dynamic shift is evident with a fresh wave of designers taking up leading roles at major fashion houses. This rejuvenation aims to combat a decline in sales and reinvigorate the industry’s competitive spirit. Approximately ten fashion houses have welcomed new creative directors, all making their debuts this season.
“We’re embarking on a new chapter, not for Fashion Week itself, but for what the fashion industry envisions over the next decade,” remarked Pierre Groppo, the fashion editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair France, emphasizing the significance of this season.
Blazy, previously associated with Kering’s Bottega Veneta, holds the monumental challenge of redefining Chanel’s identity beyond the legacy of Karl Lagerfeld, who was synonymous with the brand until his passing in 2019. His predecessor, Virginie Viard, was viewed as a steady hand whose tenure maintained continuity.
Another notable highlight of this week is Jonathan Anderson’s inaugural women’s collection for LVMH-owned Dior, debuting on October 1 after his successful menswear line in June. Alongside him, Pierpaolo Piccioli will showcase his first collection for Balenciaga, following his transition from Demna, who recently moved to Gucci. Piccioli is expected to infuse streetwear aesthetics with high-fashion sensibilities.
Commentary from Simon Longland, head of fashion buying at Harrods, praised British designer Louise Trotter’s recent debut at Bottega Veneta, labeling it as an event highlight. Similarly, Dutch designer Duran Lantink is anticipated to make waves with his first collection for Jean Paul Gaultier this week.
Furthermore, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez will unveil their second collection at Loewe, while Miguel Castro Freitas is set to present for Mugler and Mark Thomas for Carven. These presentations are poised to reveal deeper insights into the designers’ directions following their initial showcases.
A host of established designers will return with follow-up collections that are often scrutinized more closely than their debuts. Notable returns include Sarah Burton at Givenchy, Glenn Martens at Maison Margiela, and Haider Ackermann at Tom Ford.
The spotlight will also shine on collections from Louis Vuitton and Hermès, as well as the reemergence of long-missed labels like Celine and Thom Browne. Not to be overlooked, Victoria Beckham will debut her latest line on October 3, coinciding with a forthcoming three-part Netflix documentary chronicling her journey from pop star to fashion influencer.
This iteration of Paris Fashion Week unfolds against a backdrop of global challenges, including fluctuating demand in China, renewed tariffs on European fashion exports in the U.S., and overall economic uncertainty in the marketplace.
