Introduction to the Event and Key Participants
The Paris Men’s Fashion Week commenced on Tuesday with a striking opening show by Louis Vuitton, featuring American designer and musician Pharrell Williams’ “Future Dandy” collection for the fall-winter 2026 season. The event took place in a transparent-walled house surrounded by an expansive garden, presenting a retrofuturistic elegance with structured suits, classic-cut overcoats with neck cords, leather jackets, and wide-legged trousers. The color palette consisted mainly of grays, intense reds, and olive greens.
The audience included numerous celebrities, particularly from the music industry, such as rappers Usher, Future, and Quavo, singer SZA, actors Callum Turner and Daniel Brühl. Louis Vuitton’s iconic luggage and handbags were prominently displayed throughout the show.
Committed Fashion and Emerging Designers
French designer Jeanne Friot, known for her inclusive and gender-neutral fashion, kicked off the week with “Awake,” a mixed collection. The 30-year-old designer presented a choreographed outfit made from leather belts, mini kilt-style skirts, and sculpted jackets in red, black, and purple tones. Friot aimed to create “a sound and visual awakening” with her debut on the official calendar.
Études Studio also centered their mixed collection around the evolution of music and arts, featuring structured suits, bomber jackets, and mohair sweaters in shades of gray, purple, and burgundy. The creative duo of Aurélien Arbet and Jérémie Egry explained that their inspiration came from the influence of music on various art forms and how artists have used sound as a medium.
Japanese brand Auralee showcased vintage-inspired, refined pieces combining trench coats and wool pants, leather, checked shirts, and flowy skirts in raw, brown, or gray tones accented with pops of blue and green.
A Subdued Fashion Week
Over six days, 66 brands will unveil their new proposals through 36 runway shows and 30 presentations. This edition is expected to be less extravagant than the previous one, following numerous changes in artistic directors at well-known fashion houses.
The October Women’s Fashion Week was hailed as “historic” by experts, with emerging designers like Matthieu Blazy for Chanel and Jonathan Anderson for Dior’s women’s line making their debuts. This edition, however, is anticipated to have fewer challenges and expectations, according to Marc Beaugé, director of French magazine L’Étiquette.
Dior will present its men’s collection on Wednesday, designed for the second time by Anderson, who received positive reviews for his summer proposal in June but faced less enthusiasm for his first women’s line in October. Other notable moments include Véronique Nichanian’s farewell after 37 years leading Hermès’ men’s line, and Willy Chavarria’s show by the Mexican-American designer known for his activism, advocacy for migrants, and support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Spanish designer Sonia Carrasco, whose models were worn by singer Rosalía in the promotion of her new album “Lux,” will make her official calendar debut in the “presentation” category. However, notable absences include Spanish brand Loewe and Saint Laurent, which returned to the official calendar in June but has since disappeared again.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who kicked off the Paris Men’s Fashion Week? Louis Vuitton, with Pharrell Williams’ “Future Dandy” collection.
- What inspired Jeanne Friot’s collection? Friot aimed to create “a sound and visual awakening” with her debut on the official calendar.
- What is the theme for Auralee’s collection? The vintage-inspired, refined pieces combine elements like trench coats, wool pants, leather, checked shirts, and flowy skirts in raw tones accented with pops of blue and green.
- Why is this edition of the Paris Men’s Fashion Week expected to be less extravagant? Following numerous changes in artistic directors at well-known fashion houses, this edition is anticipated to have fewer challenges and expectations.
- Who are some notable designers making their debuts this season? Matthieu Blazy for Chanel and Jonathan Anderson for Dior’s women’s line.
