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Paris Fashion Week Caps a Creative Shake-Up, Signaling a Return to Elegance

Buyers now expect street-style cues with standout shoes to fuel 2026 retail.

Overview

  • Paris closed on Oct. 7 with roughly ten houses under new leadership, as Chanel’s Matthieu Blazy drew broad praise, Jonathan Anderson reset Dior womenswear, and Pierpaolo Piccioli introduced a romantic shift at Balenciaga.
  • Critics reported a return to elegance with softened, refined silhouettes and longer skirts, reflecting a move away from streetwear across major collections.
  • Street style flagged near-term, shoppable trends for 2026, including jumpers tied as accessories, coordinated skirt suits, funnel‑neck jackets, socks with heels, and low‑slung belts.
  • Footwear stood out as a likely sales driver, highlighted by Thom Browne’s trompe‑l’œil zip boots, Dior’s oversized‑rosette mule, Balenciaga’s platform thong sandals, and Chanel’s reworked cap‑toe heel.
  • The season leaned into spectacle and celebrity, with Thom Browne’s alien masks, Christian Louboutin’s football‑themed performance, and Meghan Markle’s front‑row appearance at Balenciaga drawing heavy coverage.