Ah, Paris. We've been treated to New York, London and Milan fashion weeks with the French capital putting a full stop on fashion month as proceedings round down for another season.
And what a season it's been, We've been treated to King Charles stopping by the Tolu Coker show, Margot Robbie debuting a chic bob at Chanel and acting legend Gillian Anderson closing the show at Miu Miu.
And now the sun sets on the season in Paris. It's fair to say that the French capital is a little different from its predecessors. I am writing you this trend report from my hotel bar, with a glass of wine in hand, as that feels like the correct way to bring you notes directly from Paris.
© LaunchmetricsParis Fashion Week possesses a certain audacity that the other cities lack. I can verify that everybody does look absolutely fantastic here. There's a sense of ease in the way people dress. Everyone is incredibly chic but no one seems to have tried too hard. It's thoroughly annoying actually.
There's an unmistakeable theatre to the Parisian approach. History lingers round every corner and the city's allure to brands is seductive, with major British labels such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Victoria Beckham joining the charge of superstar French brands Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent etc. that showcase their collections here.
The fashion world has had 4 weeks of back-to-back shows and Paris always manages to close with a crescendo. I saw so many amazing looks and pieces, it made me want to purchase a whole new wardrobe, plus I learned lots of brilliant things - including that Cult Gaia will be launching a line of Bratz dolls.
So lets take a look at the biggest trends I spotted on the runway at the City of Light.
Paris Fashion Week AW26 Trend Report:
The Power of Seduction
© Launchmetrics
© LaunchmetricsFeeling very British and therefore slightly embarrassed writing this - our perpetual state as a nation - everything felt a little sexy in Paris. In line with Denma's ready-to-wear debut as creative director for Gucci, there were plenty of moments that celebrated the body, desire and sensuality.
Saint Laurent is always a smouldering showcase of 80s inspired sex appeal and thanks to lashings of leather, lace and vinyl in a rich colour palette of caramel, tobacco and terracotta, the show got us all feeling a little hot under the collar. Helped of course, by Bella Hadid strutting down the runway.
© Courtesy of Roger VivierMeanwhile, Tom Ford followed suit offering minimalism in the sexiest way possible with dangerously low waists and Roger Vivier celebrated the power of sensuality - think sharp curves and slick leather.
Cuddle Clothes
© LaunchmetricsOn the other end of the spectrum lay cosy clothes. Perfect fodder to change into after a night on the town in something skintight. Chemena Kamali's latest collection for Chloé was cosier than previous seasons, with a cottagecore element infused into the bohemian inspired silhouettes. The entire show felt the cast of Little House on the Prairie had a high fashion makeover.
Meanwhile, fluffy scarves were gargantuan at Louis Vuitton, furry jackets looked good enough to double as bedding at Saint Laurent and at Schiaparelli, fits ran closer to the form than the exaggerated shapes of previous seasons.
High Contrast
© Launchmetrics
© LaunchmetricsWhen I looked out at the chic crowd of attendees at the shows - a marked difference between the French capital and the London scene is everyone's penchant for wearing head-to-toe black. In Blighty, colour is embraced and worn with abandon, in Paris the palette is slicker and sleeker. However, this doesn't mean that shows weren't punctuated with incredible moments of bright zingy hues.
Comme des Garçon showcased top-to-toe black silhouettes as models walked down the runway to the soaring tones of Chopin before six models took to the runway in bubblegum pink - in absolute silence. The frivolity of the hue was tempered by inky black platform boots - created by John Fluevog Shoes.
I spoke to Arabella Baros, creative director at John Fluevog Shoes after the show for her exclusive thoughts on working with the enigmatic Rei Kawakubo: "This is our 3rd collab with Comme des Garçon and they reached out saying they saw our latest collaboration with Sarah Sherman (the Sarah Squirm Patchwork Boot) and Rei thought the silhouette was fascinating."
© Launchmetrics"They wanted a simpler upper design so I proposed a few silhouettes. We made one design in two materials, it’s a wooden clog ankle boot made in smooth natural leather and also in pony hair (cow hide hair). I love how they turned out and it’s all about the silhouette. The team at Comme des Garçon are lovely to work with, they know the brand and their product value and respect it like we at John Fluevog Shoes do. We speak a similar language that values and prioritises art, quality community and craftsmanship so it was an easy alignment."
Meanwhile at Akris, I saw irresistible colour combinations of hot pink, pillar box red and zesty green, while at Dries Van Noten, blush pink was paired with egg yolk mustard.
70s Power Boss
© Launchmetrics
© LaunchmetricsGet me some flares and a bomber jacket immediately! AW26's muse is undoubtedly 70s-inspired and takes no prisoners as she struts down the street in aviator shades and a tougher take on the boho resurgence that has had us all in a chokehold.
Zimmermann lead the charge - their love for the decade ripples through every season, but for AW26 the take was grittier, with suspenders dangling from lace corsets worn as outerwear. Meanwhile at Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet, flares were exaggerated and embellished and at Miu Miu trapper hats were the accessory du jour.
Let's Dance
© Launchmetrics
© LaunchmetricsGreat news for the movers and shakers among us, dance was a theme that ripped through Paris this season. From Jonathan Anderson's ruffled tutu-inspired skirts at Dior to Cecilie Bahnsen usurping a traditional runway show in favour of a dance recital. Sandro got the memo too, showcasing their AW26 collection via a dance performance at the incredible Théâtre National de l'Opéra Comique.
The chicest Paris Fashion Week itinerary
How to Get There
Eurostar
By far the easiest way to transport yourself into the French capital is via the Eurostar. In just 2 hours 30 you can be muscling your way out of Gare du Nord ready to hit the shows. And If you travel Eurostar Premier, you can do it with a glass of champagne in hand and a three course meal en route too. Plus you get to fast track your way through the queues at both St Pancras and Paris, meaning more time to relax in the lounge, sip an Orangina and do some work - if you're so inclined. Or, get practising on your French. Je voudrais un peu de champagne, S'il vous plait monsieur!
Where to Stay
M Social Paris
Tucked on Boulevard Haussmann - a stone's throw from many of the major show spaces, this luxury hotel offers everything you need for a fashionable stay in Paris, aka, plenty of wardrobe space. You can tell that a woman was consulted re the design of the incredible rooms: L'Occitane products, a brilliant makeup mirror (outside the bathroom so your other half can take as long as they like in the bath), plus a bar that'll send a glass of something deliciously cold up to your room in mere moments. The breakfast buffet will keep you fuelled through a day of pounding Paris' pavements, and if anyone noticed just how many croissants I was helping myself to, they were polite enough not to comment.
Where to Eat
Temple & Chapon
Sometimes you just need to go to a restaurant that is absolutely gorgeous, perch on a chair in your finery and sip a fiery cocktail. Temple & Chapon offers the perfect opportunity to do just that, plus the food is absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is candle-heavy and the menu is bursting with French takes on American classics. Inspired by the New York chop houses of the 1950s, head chef Mélanie Serre has put together a mouth watering menu that will delight visitors. It's not often I go to a restaurant and want to order every single side dish. I managed to restrain myself but on my next visit, might not be so successful. Don't skip the lobster roll or the silky soft olive oil mashed potatoes.
What to Do
When in Paris for fashion week, make the most of the incredible sightseeing the City of Light has to offer. Fashion fans shouldn't sleep on the Palais Galleria - the official museum of Paris known for its amazing retrospectives. Or the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris located in the designer's former couture house.
The street style inspiration in Paris is unlike any other, so grab a table at a roadside cafe and enjoy a croque monsieur outside venues like the Grand Palais or Palais de Tokyo where shows often take place. And don't forget that many smaller designers have showrooms or presentations during Fashion Week - keep your eyes peeled on Instagram and Eventbrite for those you can attend while in town.
