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So, you think you know: Paris Fashion Week SS26 Edition

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1. Matthieu Blazy’s Debut as Chanel’s Creative Director: A Modern Take on Menswear

Matthieu Blazy’s debut show for Chanel was highly anticipated, and it introduced a sharper, more measured direction for the iconic fashion house. Known previously for his precise tailoring at Bottega Veneta, Blazy focused on structure and purpose. One of the notable features of his first collection was the reinterpretation of classic menswear elements.

Oversized shirts made with Charvet, one of Paris’s oldest bespoke shirtmakers, were paired with cropped blazers and relaxed trousers. This styling gave movement and ease to Chanel’s traditional structure. Blazy removed the excess associated with nostalgia to bring attention to Coco Chanel’s original ideas about shape and structure.

His restrained color palette of ivory, dove grey, and caramel kept the focus on cut and movement. The show created a balance between masculine and feminine dressing, and the audience responded with admiration. Many said Blazy had modernized Chanel without losing its discipline or emotional core.

2. Loewe’s Spring/Summer 2026 Debut Under Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez

With a new leadership shake-up at Loewe, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez took over from Jonathan Anderson, bringing a fresh and vibrant perspective. Their Spring/Summer 2026 collection was characterized by a vibrantly colored sporty and leather-focused aesthetic enriched with strong Spanish roots and playful textures.

Leather, Loewe’s main strength, appeared in soft dresses, relaxed separates, and wrap skirts that were both practical and refined. The duo added wit through towel-textured fabrics, athletic stripes, and two-tone tights, evoking sportswear and summer leisure while maintaining precision.

Fashion critics described the show as tactile and confident. This debut marked a clear new direction for Loewe — one that was modern, sensual, and joyfully self-aware.

3. Jonathan Anderson’s Approach to Christian Dior

Jonathan Anderson transitioned from Loewe to Christian Dior as creative director, facing the challenge of redefining femininity for a label renowned for its heritage. Unlike discarding the archive, Anderson chose to reshape it, blending tradition with innovation.

The iconic Bar Jacket made a return in cropped and distorted forms, featuring larger curves and sharper cuts. Oversized bows, sculpted drapes, and surreal fabrics lent a theatrical flair, while cotton shirts, cargo trousers, and lace dresses grounded the collection in everyday utility.

Critics praised Anderson’s work as a dialogue between Dior’s ateliers and modern streetwear. His debut collection demonstrated his ability to merge avant-garde design with commercial appeal. It was not about spectacle alone but about how a luxury brand can speak to contemporary audiences without losing its identity.

4. Stella McCartney Leads Sustainability at Paris Fashion Week SS26

Sustainability, craft, and material innovation were prominent themes this season, with Stella McCartney standing out for her commitment to eco-conscious fashion. Her Spring/Summer 2026 show at the École des Beaux-Arts showcased how responsibility and beauty can coexist.

The collection featured 100 percent cruelty-free materials and 98 percent sustainable fabrics, including regenerated nylon, recycled cashmere, organic cotton, and plant-based leather. Tailored jackets, crochet tops, and fluid vegan silks highlighted the blend of style and sustainability.

The show’s design, sound, and set all embraced environmental awareness, featuring biodegradable decor and nature-inspired audio. McCartney’s collaboration with biotech and textile firms underscored fashion’s potential to drive real progress. Critics called the collection optimistic and precise, affirming that ethics and elegance can truly share the runway.

5. Celebrity Appearances at Paris Fashion Week SS26

Celebrity presence remained a significant part of the spectacle, with Nicole Kidman making headlines as Chanel’s new ambassador. In her first official appearance for the brand, Kidman wore wide-leg jeans and an oversized white shirt, echoing the simplicity and restraint of Blazy’s collection.

She was seated alongside Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, and Jennie from BlackPink, representing Chanel’s aim to connect its legacy with younger audiences. Kidman’s appointment signified a shift towards authenticity and understated confidence rather than pure glamour.

Reports described her as graceful and visibly moved by the creative shift underway. Within hours, images of her look spread across major fashion outlets, symbolizing how Chanel and Paris Fashion Week are redefining visibility and continuity through subtlety and elegance.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1350288-so-you-think-you-know-paris-fashion-week-ss26-edition

art, culture, design, fashion, fashion industry

Chanel’s New Orbit

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At the Grand Palais in Paris, Matthieu Blazy presented his debut collection for the House of Chanel in a show that balanced grandeur with restraint. The space, once home to Karl Lagerfeld’s elaborate sets, became a planetarium filled with glowing orbs. This setting echoed Blazy’s direction for Chanel, now entering a new era under its fourth creative director in 115 years.

Among those in attendance were stars including Nicole Kidman, the new brand ambassador, who was joined by her daughters, along with Margot Robbie, Penélope Cruz, Ayo Edebiri, Pedro Pascal, Tilda Swinton, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Blazy built the collection around duality. “She decided for herself what she could be, and she could be both faces of the same coin,” he said after the show, referring to founder Coco Chanel. The collection reflected that tension between structure and sensuality, intimacy and confidence.

Texture led the narrative. Fabrics appeared almost tangible, drawing the eye to their depth and finish. Colours were rich and concentrated, with red appearing in sequinned co-ords, ruffled skirts, and sharp tweed separates. Eveningwear remained in shades of ivory, beige, and black, echoing Paris’s celebration of a century of Art Deco.

Gold wheat motifs, one of Coco Chanel’s personal symbols, featured on tweed coats and sack dresses, while knits and tweeds were dense and fringed. With tweed, some suits had low-slung wrap skirts, while others were puffed or frayed. The focus was attitude. “There are Chanel women all around the world,” Blazy said.

Accessories followed the same principle. The classic bag appeared without its chain, while new bags were introduced in the collection, including egg-shaped clutches, small top-handles, and soft carryalls in supple leather.

“There was too much beauty. The good thing with the codes of Chanel is you can reduce them. They still look like Chanel,” Blazy said.

The message was clear: Chanel’s next phase will move with the world and speak to many cultures. “Fashion should be beautiful and enjoyable,” he added.

Blazy’s Chanel honours the house’s heritage while pushing it forward. He has brought Chanel back to its core.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1350285-chanels-new-orbit

art, culture, design, fashion, fashion industry

Chanel’s New Orbit

Leave a comment

At the Grand Palais in Paris, Matthieu Blazy presented his debut collection for the House of Chanel in a show that balanced grandeur with restraint. The iconic space, once home to Karl Lagerfeld’s elaborate sets, was transformed into a planetarium filled with glowing orbs. This setting echoed Blazy’s fresh direction for Chanel, now entering a new era under its fourth creative director in 115 years.

Among those attending the show were stars including Nicole Kidman, the new brand ambassador, who appeared alongside her daughters. Also present were Margot Robbie, Penélope Cruz, Ayo Edebiri, Pedro Pascal, Tilda Swinton, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Blazy built the collection around the concept of duality. “She decided for herself what she could be, and she could be both faces of the same coin,” he said after the show, referring to founder Coco Chanel. The collection reflected this tension between structure and sensuality, intimacy and confidence.

Texture led the narrative throughout the pieces. Fabrics appeared almost tangible, drawing the eye with their depth and finish. Colors were rich and concentrated, with vibrant red making an appearance in sequined co-ords, ruffled skirts, and sharp tweed separates. Eveningwear stayed in elegant shades of ivory, beige, and black—colors that echoed Paris’s celebration of a century of Art Deco.

Gold wheat motifs, one of Coco Chanel’s personal symbols, were featured prominently on tweed coats and sack dresses. Knits and tweeds were dense and fringed, with some suits offering low-slung wrap skirts while others were puffed or frayed.

The focus was attitude. “There are Chanel women all around the world,” Blazy said. Accessories followed this same principle. The classic Chanel bag appeared without its signature chain, while new bags were introduced, including egg-shaped clutches, small top-handles, and soft carryalls crafted in supple leather.

“There was too much beauty. The good thing with the codes of Chanel is you can reduce them. They still look like Chanel,” Blazy explained. The message was clear: Chanel’s next phase will move with the world and resonate across many cultures. “Fashion should be beautiful and enjoyable,” he added.

Blazy’s Chanel honours the house’s rich heritage while boldly pushing it forward. With this collection, he has brought Chanel back to its core.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1350285-chanels-new-orbit