Paris Haute Couture Week has wrapped up after four days of shows that featured the end of an era at Balenciaga, the start of a new one at Maison Margiela, and some surprise appearances and absences.
Here’s a look back on the key moments of the Autumn-Winter 2025-2026 season:
models presenting creations for Imane Ayissi during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 7, 2025. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
a model presenting a creation for Stephane Rolland during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris, on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
models presenting creations for Stephane Rolland during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris, on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
New eras
Demna bowed out at Balenciaga after a decade in charge with a show on Wednesday that drew the usual smattering of celebrities to the front rows but had some surprise models on the runway.
Kim Kardashian channelled Elizabeth Taylor as she walked the room in a sultry slip dress, while veteran French actress Isabelle Huppert appeared in a turtleneck pulled up to her ears.
Belgian Glenn Martens debuted at Maison Margiela the same day. Critics praised his bold first steps as a replacement for British design legend John Galliano, who stepped down in January.
The New York Times called Martens’ “Artisanal” collection, which included thrifted clothing, a “brilliant no-holds-barred debut” while Women’s Wear Daily said it “tilted the Paris house in a dark, daring and DIY direction”.
models presenting creations for RVDK Ronald van der Kemp during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 8, 2025. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
models presenting creations for Rahul Mishra during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 7, 2025. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)
US supermodel Alex Consani (R) and models presenting creations for Chanel during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 8, 2025. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
models presenting creations for Georges Hobeika during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 7, 2025. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)
Belarusan model Tanya Diagileva (2nd R), Belgian model Stella Maxwell (R) and models presenting creations for Iris Van Herpen during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 7, 2025. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
(from L) Belgian model Stella Maxwell, a model, Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana, a model,
Chinese model Yilan Hua presenting creations for Elie Saab during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by Thibaud MORITZ / AFP)
Armani’s absence
One notably absentee was Giorgio Armani, 91, who had already cancelled his menswear show in Milan due to health reasons.
He also missed the Paris Armani Prive show on doctors’ orders.
“In 20 years of Armani Prive, it’s the first time I’m not in Paris,” he said in a statement sent to AFP.
“My doctors advised more rest, even though I felt ready.”
He added that he had “followed and overseen every aspect of the show remotely”, stressing: “I approved and signed off on everything you will see.”
Cardi B’s couture
New York rapper Cardi B had a busy week in Paris and seemed intent on out-couturing many of the models.
She appeared at the opening show of the week on Monday at Schiaparelli in a traffic-stopping tasselled neckpiece and posed with a crow perched on her hand outside the Petit Palais exhibition space.
The next day, she turned heads at Stephane Rolland, with a sculptural black headpiece that surrounded her like a religious shroud.
On Wednesday she was front row at Balenciaga.
models presenting creations for Germanier during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Thibaud MORITZ / AFP)
The rose trend
Floral patterns were everywhere, with the rose especially dominant.
Giambattista Valli adorned airy gowns with oversized fabric roses, Elie Saab featured them on princess-style dresses, while Armani Prive used pearl-embroidered roses.
Balenciaga incorporated rose sequin prints into a skirt suit and Robert Wun showcased black-and-white roses on a structured strapless crinoline dress.
(from L) Belgian model Stella Maxwell, a model, Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana, a model,
Chinese model Yilan Hua presenting creations for Elie Saab during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by Thibaud MORITZ / AFP)
models presenting creations for Robert Wun during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show at the Theatre du Chatelet, in Paris, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)
models presenting creations for Giorgio Armani Prive during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show at Palazzo Armani in Paris, on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
models presenting creations for Aelis during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
models presenting creations for Viktor&Rolf during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 8, 2025. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
models presenting creations for Aelis during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
Best of the rest
Syrian designer Rami Al Ali made history as the first couturier from his country to take part in the official Paris calendar, choking back tears at the end of his show of exquisitely tailored pieces.
Dutch duo Viktor & Rolf delivered a typically playful and sculptural spectacle, while Hong Kong’s Robert Wun burnished his reputation further with some striking looks inspired by cinema and theatre.
models presenting creations for Peet Dullaert during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Thibaud MORITZ / AFP)
models presenting creations for Adeline Andre during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 10, 2025. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)
models presenting creations for Rami Al Ali during the Women’s Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection show in Paris, on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
Credit: AFP
