As the Fall/Winter 2024 Paris Couture Fashion Week comes to a close, what will it be remembered for? Amidst the city’s excitement for the Olympics, designers and shows were still able to hold people’s attention and deliver new and exciting trends. Not to mention, hot and (sometimes) shocking celebrity-sightings that keep the atmosphere buzzing.
Here are the eight biggest talking points from the Fall/Winter 2024 Paris Couture Fashion Week:
1- Viktor&Rolf Stun:
Has anyone ever imagined wearing a dress that could be mistaken for a Rubik’s Cube? Or wearing an outfit inspired by Euclidean geometry? Viktor & Rolf’s Fall/Winter 2024 Paris Couture Fashion Week invites us to envision both scenarios as they delve deeper into “absurdism,” blending comic strips and sci-fi to explore how the body fits into space with all its quirks
You can find Viktor&Rolf collection at Esposa Prive, click here for the full collection
At the Grand Hôtel’s Haute Abstraction event, the models imagined the runway to be a circus (with a unique shade of purple for the carpet). Viktor and Rolf’s obsession with the idea of a “mutant body” continues, as they merge straight-line art with post-modern geometry and a touch of performance flair.
Oversized lines, quirky triangles, and wacky quadrilaterals echo Gareth Pugh’s sharp edges and Leigh Bowery’s bold stripes. These designs, reminiscent of dance costumes, draw inspiration from Jean Paul Gaultier, Walter Van Beirendonck, and Oskar Schlemmer, celebrating the joy of playing with shapes, colors, and materials.
2- Giambattista Valli’s Ode to India
India always inspires Giambattista Valli. He loves retreating to Jaipur, soaking up the city’s pink aura, and relaxing in the fragrant Suryagarh gardens in Jaisalmer, which feels like “a caress for the soul,” he said. This sense of “supreme well-being” is what he aimed to recreate for his Paris Couture Fall/Winter 2024 collection.
“It’s not about India per se, but a surreal conversation that feels very real to me,” Valli said backstage. He imagined a dialogue between the Renaissance elegance of Botticelli’s Primavera and the intricate beauty of Mughal miniatures. He pointed out that Renaissance Florentine artisans traveled to Agra to work on the Taj Mahal, creating a “conversation between cultures,” which he finds fascinating and relevant today.
You can find Giambattista Valli collection at Esposa Prive, click here for the full collection
Valli also believes in the healing power of beauty, with flowers as the epitome of botanical splendor. Inspired by the floral garlands outside Indian temples, he filled his collection with blooms. Delicate silhouettes featured tulle bustiers and chiffon drapes, with flowers sprouting from the décolleté, shrubs cascading from the shoulders, or petals interspersed between layers of georgette, billowing as if caught in the wind.
3- Stephane Rolland keeps it “soft”
Stephane Rolland’s Fall/Winter 2024/25 Couture collection exemplifies his adeptness at blending classic elegance with contemporary innovation. This season, Rolland employs sumptuous fabrics such as wool crepe, velvet, gazar, and chiffon, crafting designs that seamlessly integrate structured elements with flowing silhouettes. The collection features oversized jackets that transform into cinched dresses, juxtaposed beautifully against the sheer transparency of chiffon layers.
Throughout the collection, Rolland explores new textures and materials, such as a sculptural bubble dress in black gazar and a draped tulle top finished with diamond brooches. A long cut-out dress in black and white jersey, accented with a diamond belt, showcases his skill in creating dynamic silhouettes. His dedication to exquisite craftsmanship is evident in hooded coats crafted from black velvet and satin, paired with trapeze skirts in black wool crepe adorned with crystal embroidery.
You can find Stephane Rolland collection at Esposa Prive, click here for the full collection
Stephane Rolland’s ability to merge structure and fluidity, coupled with his exploration of luxurious textures, defines this season’s collection as a testament to his creative vision and mastery in haute couture.
4- Virginie Viard remains at Chanel
Despite ongoing speculation, Virginie Viard did not bid farewell to Chanel this season. Instead, the Fall/Winter 2024 Couture collection emphasized timeless designs and trendy accessories like bows, aiming to captivate Chanel’s clientele. The show, hosted at the prestigious Palais Garnier, signaled a new chapter for Chanel under the watchful eye of a yet-to-be-announced creative director, setting the stage for future innovations.
5- Kylie Jenner at Schiaparelli
Kylie Jenner made a transformative statement at Schiaparelli’s Fall/Winter 2024 Paris Couture Fashion Week, shedding her previous controversial “taxidermy” aesthetic for a glamorous, pink princess look. Her ensemble, featuring a veiled, crystal-studded corseted dress, epitomized Kardashian allure, marking a notable shift in her couture narrative and capturing attention from fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
6- Thome Browne’s Sporty Show
In anticipation of the upcoming Olympics, Thome Browne’s Fall/Winter 2024 Paris Couture Fashion Week show embraced a sporty motif with a theatrical twist. Highlighted by a tug of war theme and embellished with intricate gold beading, the collection required over 11,000 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, blending athleticism with high fashion to deliver a show of endurance and innovation.
7- Miranda Priestly at Balenciaga
Drag queen Alexis Stone’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly made a striking appearance at Balenciaga’s Fall/Winter 2024 Paris Couture Fashion Week show, recreating the iconic character’s memorable persona with the classic line “Why is no one ready?” Her cameo added a touch of cinematic flair to Couture Week, resonating with audiences and showcasing the intersection of film and fashion on the runway.
Drag queen Alexis Stone’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly made a striking appearance at Balenciaga’s Fall/Winter 2024 Paris Couture Fashion Week show, recreating the iconic character’s memorable persona with the classic line “Why is no one ready?” Her cameo added a touch of cinematic flair to Couture Week, resonating with audiences and showcasing the intersection of film and fashion on the runway.
8- Jean Paul Gaultier by Nicolas di Felice
Nicolas di Felice’s reinterpretation of Jean Paul Gaultier’s iconic designs emphasized intricate hook-and-eye fastenings, including a dress adorned with an astounding 40,000 closures. This innovative approach to couture for his Fall/Winter 2024 Paris Couture Fashion Week show captured the essence of Gaultier’s avant-garde spirit, drawing inspiration from contemporary trends while honoring the designer’s legendary legacy in fashion.
About Esposa Group:
Born out of a couple’s passion for the bridal industry, Esposa Group has been weaving love stories through stunning bridal and evening creations since 1987 on the hands of the Romanos family.
Collaborating with the best local and international brands, Esposa Group includes Esposa Privé luxury stores showcasing the works of the best fashion designers worldwide including Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Viktor and Rolf, Marchesa and Esposa Privé own couture brand, Kristie Romanos, and Esposa stores offering an accessible multi-brands wedding and soirée collection in addition to its own couture brand, Plume by Esposa.
The stores are located in Lebanon, Dubai United Arab Emirates and Riyadh Saudi Arabia offering every bride-to-be a one-stop shop to find her perfect wedding look, from her dream gown to her wedding shoes, accessories and bridesmaids dresses.
