Paris Fashion Week FW26 Recap: The 10 Moments Everyone Is Talking About
Paris Fashion Week is always the highlight of fashion month, and the fall/winter 2026 season absolutely did not disappoint. From horses on the runway to surreal kitten heels and extremely low waistlines: the shows were full of spectacular moments, celebrity sightings and new trends set to dominate the coming seasons.
These are the biggest highlights of Paris Fashion Week FW26 that you, as a fashion lover, really need to know.
Photo: Vogue/WWD
Balenciaga brings ‘light into the darkness’
Pierpaolo Piccioli's Balenciaga show was entirely about contrast. The collection, titled ClairObscur, references the Renaissance technique in which light and shadow come together to create dramatic depth. That same tension between dark and light ran like a thread through the collection.
The show opened with all-black looks and slowly evolved into deeper tones such as burgundy, bottle green and violet. Sculptural leather coats and close-fitting jersey dresses with subtle cut-outs emphasized the body without losing their architectural character. Especially striking was the collaboration with Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, who transformed the show space into a digital installation with visuals from the series. The result felt cinematic, intense and entirely in line with current pop culture.
Photo: MuseMagazine/Vogue
Hermès sets the tone with mysterious ‘twilight luxury’
Where some brands opted for spectacle, the Hermès show was all about atmosphere. Creative director Nadège Vanhee drew inspiration from the French moment entre chien et loup: the mysterious time between day and night when colors and shapes shift.
That twilight mood translated into a collection with deep, rich tones such as oxblood, moss green and navy. At the same time, the house codes remained clearly visible. Equestrian influences returned in thigh-high riding boots, sharply cut tailoring and luxe knitwear. As we've come to expect from Hermès, the focus was on craftsmanship and material, with classic bags like the Kelly giving the looks extra power.
Photo: WWD/Vanidad
Loewe proves that fashion can be fun too
At Loewe, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez delivered a collection that felt like a shot of dopamine. Their vision for the Spanish fashion house revolves around the idea that craft doesn't have to be serious only, but can also be playful.
That translates into striking experiments with materials and shapes. Inflatable leather coats and scarves gave the looks an almost surreal dimension, while latex dresses and sculptural capes played with light and reflection. Art also played an important role in the collection, with influences from artist Cosima von Bonin who added humor and fantasy to the whole. The result was a world in which clothing almost becomes objects or sculptures.
Photo: Flaunt
An emotional farewell at Alaïa
Paris Fashion Week also had a particularly emotional moment with Pieter Mulier's final show for Alaïa. After five years at the helm of the house, the designer said goodbye with a collection that deliberately went back to the essence of the brand.
The show was notably minimalist. No accessories, no bags and no superfluous elements: just clothing. With that, all attention went to the silhouette and the body, something that has always been central to the history of Alaïa. The collection combined sculptural shapes with wearable pieces, a balance between artistic expression and realistic wardrobe items. The audience responded with a standing ovation, a fitting end to an influential chapter.
Photo: Hypebeast
Jonathan Anderson's Dior show became a fashion park
For Dior, Jonathan Anderson transformed the Jardin des Tuileries into a surreal landscape inspired by Claude Monet. Around a pond with water lilies ran a bridge over which the models made their rounds, while guests took their seats on replicas of the iconic green park chairs of Paris.
The collection itself felt notably feminine. Ruffles, tiered skirts and jacquard fabrics appeared alongside classic Dior silhouettes such as the bar jacket. Anderson combined historical references with a modern interpretation of the idea of the promenade: the moment when people dress to be seen in public space.
Surreal accessories dominate at Schiaparelli
At Schiaparelli, Daniel Roseberry once again proved why the house is one of the most viral brands of the moment. The collection revolved around illusion and transformation, with a clear surrealist undertone.
Accessories played a leading role here. Heels with a sculptural cat's head, bags with golden bird claws and trompe-l’oeil details turned the looks into almost theatrical objects. At the same time, the collection stayed wearable, with knitwear, tailoring and evening gowns that balanced out the surreal elements.
Horses on the runway at Stella McCartney
One of the most striking moments of the week took place at Stella McCartney. The designer staged her show in a riding arena, where real horses roamed freely in the middle of the runway while models walked their rounds.
The collection itself was entirely about equestrian influences. Jodhpurs, riding boots and tailoring with clear Savile Row influences formed the basis of the looks. At the same time, McCartney stayed true to her ethos of sustainable and cruelty-free fashion, with faux fur and vegan materials that brought luxury and ethics together.
Photo: Elle
Chanel brings back the low-waist trend
At Chanel, Matthieu Blazy opted for a striking shift in proportions. The waistline was dropped drastically, giving classic Chanel silhouettes a completely new balance.
Miniskirts, dresses and tweed looks were worn with a waistline that sat closer to the hips. Rather than a direct Y2K revival, it felt like a subtle update of historical Chanel sportswear. That small shift in proportion gave the looks a fresh, modern energy.
Celebrity culture continues to dominate Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week has long stopped being only about clothing; celebrity moments also play a huge role.
Tyla paid tribute to Madonna with an iconic cone-bra look at Jean Paul Gaultier.
Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton show once again drew a huge celebrity crowd thanks to his network.
Zendaya and Blackpink’s Lisa sat front row at Louis Vuitton.
Because for Gen Z and millennials, fashion isn't just fashion, it's pop culture, internet and identity all in one.
These are the biggest trends of Paris Fashion Week FW26
After a week full of shows, clear fashion trends for 2026 are already taking shape:
1. Low-waist silhouettes
Chanel and other brands are dropping the waistline again.
2. Sculptural tailoring
Exaggerated shoulders and architectural shapes dominate.
3. Equestrian influences
From Hermès to Stella McCartney: riding boots and jodhpurs are everywhere.
4. Surreal accessories
Schiaparelli shows that accessories are becoming more and more artistic.
Read next: The 5 biggest trends of Paris Fashion Week FW26.
Read next: WHAT HAPPENED IN FASHION - The Paris Fashion Week Recap.
