Paris Fashion Week has long been the most anticipated event in the fashion world, and the 2024 edition did not disappoint. As the grand finale of the global fashion month, which includes New York, London, and Milan, Paris is where the most illustrious designers, models, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts converge. This year, the event continued to set the bar high, showcasing a blend of tradition and modernity, with a clear focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.
Paris Fashion Week is part of the “Big Four” fashion weeks and is considered the most prestigious of them all. It occurs twice a year—once in February/March for the Autumn/Winter collections and again in September/October for the Spring/Summer collections. In 2024, the Spring/Summer edition, held from September 25th to October 3rd, was particularly noteworthy for its blend of established luxury houses, emerging designers, and digital innovations that pushed the boundaries of traditional runway shows.
Paris, often referred to as the fashion capital of the world, provided a fitting backdrop for the 2024 edition. The shows took place in some of the city’s most iconic locations, including the Louvre, the Palais de Tokyo, and the Grand Palais Éphémère. Each venue was meticulously chosen to reflect the aesthetic and ethos of the designers showcasing there.
The Grand Palais Éphémère, for instance, housed the eagerly anticipated Chanel show. The temporary structure, with its neoclassical design, mirrored the timeless elegance of the brand. The Jardin des Tuileries hosted Dior, where Maria Grazia Chiuri transformed the gardens into a verdant runway, symbolizing the collection’s connection to nature.
A Symphony of Creativity
- Virginie Viard’s Chanel collection was a homage to the house’s legacy while injecting a fresh, modern twist. The collection featured reimagined tweed suits, delicate lace, and airy chiffons. Viard focused on soft pastels, pearls, and floral motifs, giving the collection a springtime freshness. The show concluded with a series of ethereal white dresses, signaling a return to the maison’s roots in haute couture, but with a contemporary edge.
- Maria Grazia Chiuri’s collection for Dior was a celebration of feminine strength and resilience. Chiuri explored the concept of femininity through a feminist lens, incorporating elements of corsetry and armor, blending softness with strength. The collection was both a tribute to Dior’s heritage and a statement on the modern woman’s place in the world.
- Olivier Rousteing’s Balmain show was a spectacle that celebrated both the house’s heritage and Rousteing’s decade-long tenure as creative director. The collection was a study in contrasts—metallic armor-like dresses juxtaposed with soft, flowing gowns. Rousteing drew inspiration from historical garments, reinterpreting them for the modern era.
- Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton continued to push the boundaries of fashion with a collection that blended historical references with futuristic elements. The show was a visual feast, featuring oversized silhouettes, bold colors, and intricate embroidery.
- Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent collection was a masterclass in minimalism and elegance. The show, set against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, featured sleek, tailored silhouettes in a muted color palette of black, white, and grey. Vaccarello focused on clean lines and impeccable tailoring, creating a collection that was both timeless and modern.
- One of the most significant aspects of Paris Fashion Week 2024 was the return to physical shows after years of digital presentations due to global events. The physical shows allowed for a full sensory experience—viewers could feel the textures, hear the sounds, and experience the atmosphere that digital shows could not fully replicate. The ability to see garments up close, to appreciate the details and the work that went into creating them, was a reminder of why fashion is an art form.
Photo courtesy of Alexander McQueen