Style highlights from Paris Fashion Week 2026
Paris Fashion Week has just concluded, with recurring motifs emerging across the runways. Here’s a closer look at the standout trends – and whether they’re poised to influence the seasons ahead
Colourful palettes
Picture: Instagram @dior
Picture: Instagram @givenchy
Vibrant, colourful palettes brought energy to the season, injecting optimism and drama into cooler-weather dressing. Dior drew inspiration from nature once more, infusing the collection with pops of colour through whimsical tailoring, floral embellishments and playful hues on accessories – a subtle nod to John Galliano’s early-2000s era at the house, where fantasy and bold experimentation reigned. Meanwhile, Givenchy and Mugler leaned into strong contrasts, crafting looks with commanding presence and aura.
Floral elements
Picture: Instagram @dior
Picture: Alexander McQueen
Picture: Instagram @driesvannoten
Picture: Instagram @ysl
Florals, which first gained momentum in Milan, continued to bloom vibrantly in Paris. Dior incorporated realistic flowers into heels and earrings, integrating them into the overall silhouette. Alexander McQueen translated blooms into patterns across soft, sheer dresses. Dries Van Noten, staying true to its artistic heritage, wove florals into jackets, printed fabrics and quilted pieces. Saint Laurent embedded them subtly yet sensually in lace. Miu Miu closed the week on a high note with floral patterns and embroidered details, perfectly aligning with their signature playful, energetic aesthetic.
Leather
Picture: Instagram @hermes
Picture: Instagram @maisonalaia
Picture: Instagram @balmain
Leather remained an undisputed staple for fall/winter, but this season it dominated runways – including Hermès, Acne Studios, Celine, Givenchy, Alaïa, Balmain and others – with renewed intensity and innovation. Long synonymous with the material, Hermès presented an entire collection in earthy tones, using subtle layering and tonal variations to keep the all-leather looks dynamic and interesting. Acne Studios infused their signature playful energy, remixing cropped leather biker and aviator jackets with earth-tone pieces and pops of their iconic pink.
Print patterns
Picture: Instagram @jeanpaulgaultier
Picture: Instagram @yohjiyamamotoofficial
Picture: Instagram @viviennewestwood
Acne Studios turned face motifs into dresses and skirts. Jean Paul Gaultier, as ever, delivered an array of bold prints that never fail to impress. Even Yohji Yamamoto and Vivienne Westwood incorporated prints, using them as highlights or playful accents. Overall, prints bridged high fashion and street style, lending a more casual yet spirited edge.
Experimental silhouettes
Silhouette experimentation remained a compelling force throughout Paris Fashion Week. Issey Miyake and Rick Owens demonstrated remarkable versatility, transforming simple fabrics into extraordinary forms that felt both innovative and breathtaking. Courrèges offered a masterclass in clean, subtle lines, proving that infinite possibilities can emerge from restraint.
Special textures
Picture: Instagram @loewe
Picture: Instagram @schiaparelli
Picture: Instagram @tomford
Brands experimented boldly with texture this season. Loewe introduced glossy latex pieces that created a striking and unexpectedly sophisticated contrast against their high-saturation colour palettes. Schiaparelli leaned heavily into wool and cashmere ribbed knits, accented with leather details for an intriguing interplay. Tom Ford took a daring approach with transparent plastic midi skirts and blazers, adding a modern edge.
Voluminous shapes
Picture: Instagram @chloe
Picture: Instagram @dior
Picture: Instagram @umawangofficial
Picture: Instagram @chanelofficial
Volume was achieved through lightweight, flowing materials that brought a sense of soft, airy movement to the season. Chloé and Dior used sheer fabrics to create elegant, timeless hemlines on skirts and dresses. Uma Wang and Chanel introduced puffiness at the hems through thoughtful sewing techniques and material contrasts. Louis Vuitton stood out with dramatically voluminous shoulders on coats, perfectly embodying the natural theme – an abstraction suspended between past and future.
