Paris Fashion Week lit up the runways once again for haute couture Fall 2025 (technically Fall/Winter 2025-26), showcasing the pinnacle of artistic design and unparalleled craftsmanship. This season in the French capital delivered a blend of highly anticipated debuts, significant farewells, and breathtaking collections that underscore the unique savoir-faire of legendary ateliers. From surrealist fantasies to modern minimalist statements, Paris Haute Couture Week Fall 2025 offered a captivating glimpse into the future of high fashion. Get ready to explore the defining moments, the standout styles, and the beauty trends that captured the world’s attention.
Setting the Scene for Couture Fall 2025
This year’s Haute Couture Week, held shortly after America’s Fourth of July festivities, comprised a packed calendar featuring 27 distinct shows. While the week pulsed with creative energy, some notable names were absent, including major houses like Dior and Valentino. Dior’s creative director, Jonathan Anderson, recently debuted his men’s collection but is not yet ready to unveil his couture offerings. Similarly, Jean Paul Gaultier took a season off as new designer Duran Lantink prepares for his upcoming ready-to-wear debut. These temporary absences, however, paved the way for a season focused on transitions and reaffirmations of brand identity.
The schedule presented a fascinating mix of tradition and change. Chanel showcased a studio collection, marking one of the last before Matthieu Blazy steps into a leading role later this year. Giorgio Armani naturally presented his signature Armani Privé line, known for its exquisite glamour.
Defining Moments: Debuts and Farewells
A significant narrative woven throughout Haute Couture Week Fall 2025 was the season of hellos and goodbyes. The week saw Demna present his final collection for Balenciaga, concluding an impactful chapter for the house. This farewell contrasted sharply with the highly anticipated debut of Glenn Martens for Maison Margiela. Martens faces the considerable task of following John Galliano’s viral 2024 Margiela presentation, stepping into a spotlight intensified by past achievements.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, not just for the collections themselves, but for how these pivotal designer moments would shape the future of these storied brands. Each show contributed a unique voice to the overarching story of the season.
Schiaparelli Opens with Surreal Vision
Daniel Roseberry kicked off the Haute Couture Week Fall 2025 season for Schiaparelli, as is fitting for a house that consistently generates buzz. Roseberry, an American designer at the helm since 2019, presented a collection grounded in a “back to the future” philosophy. His inspiration drew from the pivotal year 1940, when founder Elsa Schiaparelli departed Paris for New York amidst the early days of World War II. This historical context fueled Roseberry’s exploration of the tension between past, present, and future.
The collection featured a predominantly black palette, infused with Schiaparelli’s signature surrealist touches. Eye motifs, dramatic silhouettes, and trompe l’oeil effects were reinterpreted through a futuristic, almost sci-fi lens. The show drew significant star power, with attendees like Cardi B and Dua Lipa adding to the spectacle. This collection reinforced owner Diego Della Valle’s vision of upholding brand codes while constantly evolving them for modern relevance.
Chanel Pays Homage to House Codes
The Chanel Creation Studio presented a collection that served as an homage to the house’s enduring codes. This showing is particularly significant as it is one of the last before Matthieu Blazy takes over creative direction later in the year. The presentation combined classic Chanel elegance with subtle updates, demonstrating the continuity and evolution of the brand’s aesthetic.
The show attracted a star-studded front row, including longtime friends of the house and new faces. Keira Knightley and her husband James Righton attended, celebrating 110 years of Chanel Haute Couture. Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Lorde, Gracie Abrams, and Charlotte Casiraghi were also among the notable guests showcasing their personal interpretations of Chanel style.
Armani Privé Delivers Midnight Glamour
Giorgio Armani’s Armani Privé collection consistently embodies refined elegance and sophisticated glamour. For Haute Couture Week Fall 2025, the collection embraced a distinctly “midnight glamour” theme. The presentation focused on rich textures, flowing silhouettes, and a palette dominated by deep, nocturnal hues. It was a masterclass in understated luxury, proving that impact can come from impeccable tailoring and exquisite detail rather than overt theatrics.
Beyond the Runway: Striking Celebrity Style
Paris Haute Couture Week Fall 2025 is as much about the front row and street style as it is the runway. This season saw a significant influx of celebrities, royals, and fashion icons descending upon Paris, showcasing their most extravagant ensembles. Their presence amplifies the reach of couture, translating runway concepts into real-world (albeit highly styled) moments.
The Balenciaga Haute Couture show, Demna’s last, became a showcase for attendee style, particularly a prevalence of black outfits. Nicole Kidman attended in a striking black midriff-flashing pantsuit. Katy Perry opted for a structured black off-shoulder mini dress, while Michelle Yeoh wore a chic belted black suit. Kirsten Dunst also favored black in a ruched dress. However, some attendees deliberately broke the mold, like Lisa Rinna in a bold blue puffer suit and Kim Kardashian in a white halterneck dress with cutouts, notably arriving with hair pins still visible.
Schiaparelli’s front row was equally memorable. Cardi B caused a sensation by arriving with a real crow on her arm, a provocative accessory linked to her upcoming album theme. She wore a dramatic structured gown with pearl fringe. Dua Lipa, recently engaged, appeared in a white petal-like gown from a previous Schiaparelli collection, evoking bridal vibes. Hunter Schafer stunned in a mint and metallic striped gown. These celebrity appearances added a layer of performance art to the week, reflecting the daring spirit of couture.
Key Beauty Trends from the Couture Runways
Haute Couture Week provides a crucial platform for beauty artists to showcase innovative and theatrical hair and makeup that complements the elaborate collections. The Fall 2025 shows presented several standout beauty looks, offering inspiration for future trends.
Schiaparelli set a bold standard with makeup by Dame Pat McGrath. The look featured powerful, statement lips – including matte black and vibrant red – paired with fresh, dewy skin. This choice directly referenced the collection’s black and white photography inspiration and theme of past meeting present.
At Iris Van Herpen, the beauty concept was ethereal and otherworldly. Models’ skin appeared iridescent, enhanced with highlighter on the cheeks and brows. Silver pigment at the inner corners and cupid’s bow added a delicate, glowing effect, perfectly aligning with the brand’s futuristic, organic designs.
Chanel presented a more subdued yet impactful beauty statement, hinting at a refined evolution of current trends. Models sported sleek, twisted ponytails. Their makeup featured diffused bronze smoky eyes on both upper and lower lids, contrasted with minimal, glowy skin. This look was described as a polished “clean girl 2.0” aesthetic.
Other designers pushed conventional boundaries. Imane Ayissi defied the ‘bold eye or bold lip’ rule, pairing frosted eyeshadow and cat-eye liner with a blurred red lip for a dramatic, ’80s-inspired glam effect. Georges Hobeika showcased unique hair updos inspired by ’40s victory rolls, creating sculptural, horned twists positioned high on the head for a modern statement.
Reflecting on a Season of Change
Haute Couture Week Fall 2025 proved to be a season defined by transition and transformation. The absence of some major players allowed other houses and designers to shine, while significant debuts and farewells marked pivotal moments in fashion history. The week highlighted the extraordinary skill and artistry of the couture ateliers, whether through Schiaparelli’s surreal narratives, Chanel’s refined classicism, or the bold beauty statements seen across multiple runways. From the meticulously crafted garments to the striking celebrity interpretations and avant-garde beauty looks, this season reinforced haute couture’s unique position as the ultimate expression of fashion’s creative potential. It was a week that celebrated both heritage and the exciting possibilities of the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the key designer highlights at Paris Haute Couture Week Fall 2025?
Key highlights included Daniel Roseberry’s “back to the future” collection for Schiaparelli, inspired by the year 1940 and featuring surrealist details on predominantly black garments. Chanel presented a significant studio collection paying homage to house codes. Giorgio Armani showcased sophisticated “midnight glamour” with Armani Privé. The week also featured Demna’s final show for Balenciaga and Glenn Martens’ debut for Maison Margiela, marking significant moments of transition within the industry.
Why were certain houses missing from the Fall 2025 Couture schedule?
Some major houses were absent due to creative transitions or timing. Dior did not present a couture collection as Jonathan Anderson is not yet ready to show his offerings after recently debuting men’s wear. Jean Paul Gaultier also took the season off to allow new designer Duran Lantink time to prepare for his upcoming ready-to-wear collection debut in September. The schedule included 27 shows despite these notable absences.
What were the most notable celebrity styles seen at Couture Week F/W 2025-26?
Celebrities brought significant style moments to Paris. At Schiaparelli, Cardi B arrived with a real crow, wearing a dramatic pearl-fringed gown, while Dua Lipa appeared in a white petal gown. The Balenciaga show saw many attendees in black, including Nicole Kidman and Katy Perry, though Kim Kardashian notably wore a white cutout dress. Kate Walsh wore a daring sculptural white gown at Stéphane Rolland. Many stars, including Keira Knightley, Penelope Cruz, and Lorde, attended Chanel.
