Paris Haute Couture Week Fall-Winter 2024-2025 was nothing short of a fashion fantasy come to life.
It had everything, from Schiaparelli’s runway igniting with flaming phoenixes, to Dior turning heads with a chic nod to the upcoming Paris Olympics, blending athletic elegance with couture finesse. KHAMSA made a pit stop at Chanel, whose collection was as romantic as a Parisian sunset. Georges Hobeika wowed us with gowns that seemed to float down the runway, ethereal and enchanting.
And let’s not forget the sophisticated showrooms of Chloé and Givenchy. The intimate settings allowed us to savor every exquisite detail of their latest collections. Chloé charmed with its blend of classic and contemporary, while Givenchy redefined elegance with a modern twist. From the avant-garde futuristic vibes at Balenciaga to the celestial dreams spun by Zuhair Murad, and the regal opulence of Elie Saab, this couture week was an endless parade of haute couture magic. It was a week where fashion wasn’t just worn, but also lived, breathed, and celebrated in the most fabulous way possible.
١. Schiaparelli – Hope With a Side of Feathers
Paris Haute Couture Week Fall-Winter 2024-2025 kicked off with a spectacular show by Schiaparelli. Daniel Roseberry’s latest collection for the house, unveiled on June 24, was a dazzling celebration of rebirth and reinvention.
Drawing inspiration from Elsa Schiaparelli’s iconic feathered ensemble from the 1940s, which paid tribute to ballerina Anna Pavlova, Roseberry transformed the runway into a mesmerizing display of flaming phoenixes and mythical imagery. The collection featured dramatic feathered outfits, midcentury-inspired shoulders, and bow-embellished gowns, all embodying a sense of transformation and renewal.
The show’s front row was a star-studded affair with Doja Cat and Kylie Jenner making waves in their standout looks, including Jenner’s crinoline face covering that quickly became a viral sensation. Roseberry’s use of rich textures, bold silhouettes, and a blend of historical and modern influences made this collection a stunning start to the couture week, setting a high bar for the days to come.
٢. Georges Hobeika – A Nocturnal Garden Fantasy
The Georges Hobeika show was set against the magical backdrop of a nocturnal garden, transforming the runway into a serene twilight paradise. “We wanted to create a world where nature and couture merge seamlessly,” Hobeika shared about his vision.
The collection showcased the Maison’s signature drama, embroidery, and sparkle, with gowns inspired by the sensuality of soft petals and the glint of dewdrops. Rich fabrics like silk velvet and duchesse satin were used to create intricate textures that played with light and darkness. “The goal was to evoke the ethereal beauty of nature at dusk,” Hobeika explained.
The show was a star-studded affair, with prestigious guests such as Fan Bingbing and Valentina Ferragni gracing the front row, adding to the evening’s allure. Hobeika’s designs embodied a fairy-tale charm, making his collection a standout of the couture week.
٣. Dior – A Celebration of Movement and Femininity
Held at the Musée Rodin, Dior’s Fall-Winter 2024-2025 collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri celebrated the body in motion, drawing inspiration from ancient Greece to the 1920s. “This collection is about the beauty of movement and the strength of femininity,” Chiuri stated. The show featured reproductions of Faith Ringgold’s artworks, emphasizing themes of African-American identity and gender inequality.
Chiuri blended sport with haute couture, using materials like jersey in gold, white, and silver, incorporating athletic aesthetics with ancient influences. The collection’s peplum, draped designs, and asymmetrical cuts paid homage to the upcoming Paris Olympics. “I wanted to celebrate the resilience and elegance of women athletes,” Chiuri explained. The front-row presence of celebrities added to the show’s allure, making it a standout event of the week.
٤. Chanel – A Dance of Elegance
Chanel presented its Fall-Winter 2024-2025 haute couture collection at the iconic Palais Garnier, celebrating its historical connection with dance. This show, marking Virginie Viard’s departure as Chanel’s creative director, highlighted Gabrielle Chanel’s contributions to ballet with designs inspired by “Le Train bleu” and “Apollon Musagète”.
A central motif of the collection was the bow, adorning black coats, cinching waists, and decorating hairstyles, blending classicism with modernity. The intricate detailing and luxurious materials underscored Chanel’s commitment to honoring its heritage while innovating in haute couture.
The show concluded with a stunning bridal gown worn by model Angelina Kendall. The gown featured a long taffeta dress with glittering floral embroidery and a prominent white bow, capturing the magic and grandeur of haute couture. This final piece encapsulated Chanel’s timeless elegance and innovative spirit, affirming its enduring influence in fashion.
٥. Balenciaga – Subversive Couture
On June 26, Balenciaga’s Fall-Winter 2024-2025 show set a unique tone with a guided meditation soundtrack, inviting the audience into a mindful experience. “In today’s session, we will learn a pathway towards a happier life,” began the meditation, encouraging slow breathing and visualizing a color associated with happiness. This serene introduction set the stage for Demna’s fourth haute couture collection, which boldly departed from traditional couture conventions.
Demna merged Cristóbal Balenciaga’s classic silhouettes with modern, unconventional materials. The collection featured elements like denim, leather, track suits, technical outerwear, and hoodies, transforming everyday materials into couture masterpieces. The show opened with a sculpted oversized gray tee paired with slouchy faded jeans and a saucer hat, a nod to Demna’s earlier work. Standout pieces included a dress made from melted plastic shopping bags with visible barcodes and a strapless gown constructed from golden aluminum foil. The final look, a swirling mass of black nylon, was constructed just before the show, representing the ephemeral nature of fashion.
Demna’s collection questioned conventional definitions of precious garments, blending modern subcultures with Balenciaga’s elegant heritage. Balenciaga’s Fall-Winter 2024-2025 collection was a daring exploration of couture, pushing the boundaries of fashion innovation.
٦. Elie Saab – Gothic Opulence
Elie Saab presented his Fall-Winter 2024-2025 haute couture collection, marked by a dramatic shift from his usual golden goddess aesthetic to a theme of Gothic opulence. “I was inspired by the dramatic elegance of the ’90s,” Saab explained, highlighting the collection’s dark, mysterious allure.
The show opened with a black velvet mermaid gown, setting a tone of sophistication and drama. The collection transitioned from deep blacks to rich hues of ruby and emerald, featuring sleek silhouettes with tone-on-tone embellishments, intricate draping, and layers of veiling lace. Saab’s designs aimed to reveal a more extravagant side of femininity, with plays of light and dark symbolizing an emergence from darkness. As the show progressed, gowns shimmered with moonlight-silver sequins, richly embroidered and crystal-beaded on see-through chiffon and organza, maintaining the opulent essence. Saab’s use of luxurious materials and intricate detailing underscored his dedication to haute couture craftsmanship.
The grand finale was a blush tulle bridal gown, intricately embroidered with pale gold and featuring a regal train fit for a royal wedding. This show-stopping piece epitomized Saab’s flair for creating dramatic, unforgettable couture.
٧. Zuhair Murad – Edgy Drama
Zuhair Murad presented his Fall-Winter 2024-2025 haute couture collection, marking a bold shift from his signature princess-style gowns to a theme of edgy drama. “This season, I wanted to capture the raw emotions and inner strength of women,” Murad explained. The collection featured strong, structured silhouettes with jagged shard-like embellishments and explosive embroideries, symbolizing emotional scars and turmoil.
The designs included a striking leather jacket dress with embroidered slashes, a minidress with mirrored shards, and gowns that appeared to burst with chaotic embroidery, reflecting inner conflict. “These designs represent the psychological wounds and strength women carry,” Murad noted. A pearl-bedecked bodysuit evoked champagne bubbles and tears, while a satin gown with a bullet hole motif metaphorically highlighted resilience and survival.
High necklines, square shoulders, and trailing stoles elongated the body, reinforcing the collection’s theme of empowerment. Luxurious materials like velvet, chiffon, and satin, combined with intricate embroidery and beadwork, created visually striking and emotionally powerful pieces.
Showrooms
١. Givenchy
At the Givenchy showroom, the Spring 2025 pre-collection showcased a unique blend of aristocratic elegance and punk influences. “We aimed to create a collection that is both sophisticated and rebellious,” Givenchy’s designer stated, highlighting its dual nature.
The collection featured archival animal prints, pom-poms, and bows, creating a relaxed yet formal aesthetic. Key pieces included elegant evening stoles paired with flared pants, tuxedo suiting with a draped wrap effect, and a funnel-neck coat in glossy black leather. This juxtaposition of soft structuring with edgy elements paid homage to Hubert de Givenchy’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of modern fashion.
Accessories played a significant role, with 4G Liquid charms adorning various items. Statement pieces included the Antigona Cube Nano and the 4G Liquid oversized clutch, showcasing intricate detailing and luxurious materials. The collection also introduced new takes on the Voyou family of bags, featuring patent, suede, and plush shearlings.
Menswear highlighted formal clothing with punk-inflected details, such as tuxedo jackets and cummerbunds with flashes of rust or purple. Military influences were evident in pieces like a seventies-era cat print jacket and a classic duffel coat in teddy fabric, blending classic elegance with contemporary, rebellious flair.
٢. Chloé
Chemena Kamali’s Spring 2025 collection for Chloé drew inspiration from Karl Lagerfeld’s 1970s Art Deco apartment and the New York Factory scene. The collection featured opulent gold lamés, brocades, and jacquards, combined with tailoring details like scalloped edges and rounded shoulders. These elements echoed the lavish interiors of Lagerfeld’s apartment and the eclectic style of the Factory scene. The designs included billowing, off-the-shoulder dresses, balloon-sleeved blouses, and square-necked smocks in diaphanous coin-dot lamé and swirling, pleated metallic florals.
Accessories played a pivotal role in capturing the spirit of freedom and decadence. Tasseled belts, fringed bags, and new Chloé sneakers—collaged from a myriad of soft pastel colors—added a modern twist to the vintage-inspired looks. “I wanted something that was soft, feminine, and comfortable,” Kamali noted, emphasizing the practicality and wearability of the collection.
The collection also included high-waist jeans, body-hugging t-shirts, and tiny sweaters, reflecting the eclectic vibe of New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Tied together with accessories like metallic belts and pendants, the collection offered versatile pieces suitable for various occasions, ensuring that every woman could find something that resonated with her personal style.
