Paris fashion week: when the venue steals the show
Paris Fashion Week consistently delivers breathtaking collections, but this season, the runways themselves became the stars. Forget fleeting trends; designers transformed historic landmarks into immersive theatrical experiences, proving that setting can be as impactful as the garments themselves.
A garden within a garden: dior's tuileries transformation
Jonathan Anderson's second Dior women’s ready-to-wear collection reimagined the Jardin des Tuileries, a Parisian institution since the 16th century. Anderson erected an octagonal, faux park within the existing garden, complete with a reflecting pool and benches echoing the classic Tuileries design. The effect was a clever layering of history and fantasy, a scene ripe for the Instagram cameras—and a subtle nod to the garden's long tradition as a place for Parisian society to see and be seen.
Baroque rhythms at acne studios
Acne Studios opted for a different kind of grandeur at the Collège des Bernardins. Creative Director Johnny Johansson channeled the spirit of Versailles, creating a series of interconnected rooms arranged in a baroque enfilade—that characteristic suite of rooms with doorways aligned to form a single, sweeping axis. The visual language shifted dramatically from room to room, from glossy white molding to mirrored silver frames and vibrant ceramic fragments, each space hinting at the next through carefully framed portals. The brand's 30th anniversary provided a fitting context for this exploration of evolution and interconnectedness.
Louis vuitton's allegorical landscape
Within the Cour Carrée of the Louvre, Louis Vuitton's runway became a landscape of the imagination. Production designer Jeremy Hindle, known for his work on Severance, sculpted the space into abstracted hills and valleys, a fictional terrain that echoed the sharp geometry of the collection. The brand’s statement highlighted a core concept: “The extreme shapes and details of clothes are formed by the elemental—wind, rain, sun.” Nature, it seems, remains the ultimate muse.
Miuccia prada’s intimate woodland
The Palais d’Iéna, a 1939 landmark, was utterly transformed into a whimsical woodland for Miu Miu. Under the creative direction of Miuccia Prada, the space was layered with crafted and natural elements: sustainably sourced fur-covered benches, reproductions of vintage lampasso silk, and a floor scattered with real moss and pinecones. Mrs. Prada herself emphasized the collection's central theme: “I am obsessed with the smallness of the body—the contrast between ourselves, our bodies, and the vastness which surrounds us.” The design choice amplified the feeling of intimacy and individuality.
Hermès: a portal to twilight
At Hermès, the venue itself induced a meditative state. Models emerged from a glowing circular opening, stepping onto a winding silver path that evoked the cool, dusky atmosphere of autumn. The lighting, the sharp tailoring—everything conspired to create a sense of nocturnal elegance, mirroring how the eye adjusts to the evening light. The show wasn't merely a presentation of clothing; it was an immersion into a specific mood—a quiet, sophisticated embrace of the night.
Chanel’s monumental embrace
Beneath the soaring glass canopy of the Grand Palais, Matthieu Blazy’s second Chanel collection unfolded against a backdrop of monumental scale. Yellow, red, and blue cranes, suspended within the vast space, added a playful industrial edge to the classic setting. Models moved with effortless fluidity against the backdrop of opalescent flooring, showcasing enameled jewelry and a particularly striking pomegranate bag.
Mcqueen’s labyrinthine journey
The historic Tennis Club de Paris became a spiraling maze of sheer curtains for Alexander McQueen. Production designer Tom Scutt carved the space into winding corridors, veiled by fabric, creating a sense of mystery and obscured movement. Masked models and lace dresses wove through the monochromatic landscape, culminating in a finale where all models gathered at the center, bringing the obscured journey into sharp focus.