Highlights: Paris Fashion Week F/W 2024

Written by Amiya B

Fashion Week is the birthplace of inspiration for the masses and *actual* trends that stand the test of time. This year’s circuit has seen fabulous trench coats and glimmering skirts, not to mention the return of the debated animal print. With over 108 shows and exhibitions gracing the famously fashionable city of love, it is hard to deny that they saved the best for last. Marking the end of the fall/winter fashion circuit for 2024, we have the best of Paris Fashion Week.

1. Christian Dior

What better way to start than with Miss Dior herself. An ode to the label’s collection from the 60s, Christian Dior’s line for this year’s PFW is the talk of the town. Seeing iconic fashion houses return to their roots and give us vintage realness is quite possibly the greatest thing to come out of this year’s fall/winter fashion circuit.

2. Coperni

Coperni has been one of the it brands for the fashion fanatics of today. Giving us a little bit of everything, Coperni showcased elevated casuals but did not deny the extravagant. The brand’s collection of dresses - from trailing and sequinned to short and structured - stylistically takes the cake.

3. Saint Laurent

This season, Saint Laurent went sheer and did it justice. See through dresses, wrapped sheer tops and translucent trousers galore, the label did not falter with their fall/winter collection for the year. From our curation of looks from the show, you can tell that we are living for the neutral toned blazers featuring accentuated shoulder pads.

4. Dries Van Noten

Titled ‘the comfort of contradiction’, Dries Van Noten’s line-up for PFW was expectedly chic. The brand’s notes tell us that the aim was to alternate between ‘precious and pragmatic’, weaving together varied fabrics and styles. Mixing textures is a dicey game to play, but the label pulled off the concept with no critique from us.

5. Acne Studios

Another label that has been on everyone’s wish list of late is Acne Studios. The brand simply justified being the talk of the town with this fabulously inventive collection. Clean-cut designs interspersed with bold silhouettes, the collection ran the gamut of styles from classic to futuristic, making Acne Studios a brand to watch out for.

6. Balmain

Balmain took to the runway with nature at the helm of this season’s inspiration. We are obsessed with the shell motif adorning the ears, waists and torsos of the models that walked the show. Creative director, Olivier Rousteing created the collection with his hometown Bordeaux in mind. Hence, grapes seemed to be on theme for the collection, with 3D printed grape accessories and prints of the fruit trailing across multiple designs on display.

7. Chloé

We never thought we’d see the return of the boho chic aesthetic, yet here we are with Chloé’s latest collection. Chemena Kamali’s return to the fashion house has given us the 70s fashion renaissance we didn’t know we needed. This year’s collection is sensual, feminine and oddly liberating. Not sure if it’s the fluidity of the collection or the blushy hues of pink and blue but this year’s line is inexplicably freeing. And if we’re being honest, if anyone could bring back boho, it’s Chloé.

8. Givenchy

Givenchy’s line-up for Paris Fashion Week whispers subtle elegance. Beautifully designed ensembles that perfectly fit the legacy of the fashion house, the fall/winter collection was the perfect mix of simplistic styles and unparalleled grace. With the many shifts in creative reign, the label’s adoring fans were not sure of what to expect. However, Givenchy came through in the brightest of manners and we shouldn’t have expected any less.

9. Rokh

According to the brand’s social media, the label was on the lookout for the ‘delicate balance between tradition and innovation, refinement and rebellion’ with their collection for PFW 2024. To say that they accomplished their mission would be an understatement. Earthy tones and innovative silhouettes took to the ramp with Rokh’s latest collection of apparel. Our favourite look from the show is the deconstructed flower-adorned coat - simply gorgeous.

10. Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli’s reputation as a leading label precedes itself. Along with the masses, this is a show that we were waiting to witness with bated breath and mood boards at the ready. And it should come as no surprise that the brand came through on their promise of innovation and fabulous fashion yet again. Now if we could just get our hands on this collection, all will be right with the world.

11. Loewe

Loewe is on every fashion forward celebrity and influencer these days. So when we heard that they were due to exhibit their seasonal collection at PFW, we could not wait to see what they would fashion. Well, Loewe’s airy silhouettes and sleek craftsmanship were on display for all to admire. The belted egyptian blue dress was but one of a collection of pieces that we couldn’t help but fall in love with.

12. Issey Miyake

Issey Miyake went from wool thick to paper thin in the span of one runway show and seemed to be on theme with the overall concept of textures across Paris Fashion Week. Wrapped, robed and ready to go, the models made their way across the ramp stunningly clad in their fall/winter line of apparel. Creative director Satoshi Kondo has masterfully blended styles while staying true to the Issey Miyake way.

13. Nina Ricci

“I was very much inspired by an archival image by Richard Avedon of the actress Suzy Parker wearing Nina Ricci on Avenue Montaigne in 1962 ”, said creative director Harris Reed when describing the theme of this year’s collection. Reed went on to describe the actress’s look as self-assured and iconic, and while the former is true of the brand, the latter is true of this collection.

14. Victoria Beckham

When you think Victoria Beckham, you think subtle chic opulence. This has been a constant theme with the label since its inception and if this collection is proof of what is to come, we are certain that the stylistic pillars of the label will forever emerge victorious in the name of fashion. From the pillowing knitwear to the freely flowing dresses, this line of apparel perfectly exhibits understated elegance.

15. Hermès

Described as ‘the urban wardrobe of a woman out to conquer the city’, Hermès’ latest collection is yet another benchmark for one of the most highly regarded fashion houses across the world. With leather, satin, silk and so much to take inspiration from, this collection appears to be a favourite across the board.

16. Elie Saab

Elie Saab’s fall/winter collection for Paris Fashion Week 2024 is titled ‘Melodies of Graceland’ and this was one of the rare collections from this year’s circuit that included styles spanning across a myriad of design genres. While there is plenty to admire, the boisterous yet elegant creamy white coat embellished with beautiful white roses was our showstopper.

17. Alexander McQueen

Knitted statuary and rough opulence were the terms used by the label to describe their latest collection. Abiding by the fall/winter fashion blueprint, this line featured plenty of elevated knitwear while also showcasing innovative silhouettes and bright splashes of colour throughout the show. Alexander McQueen is undoubtedly the master of sleek styling at its finest.

18. Akris

Akris’ collection for this year’s PFW seemed to meddle with the concept of shadows and light. While we love their monochromatic looks, it was the lime greens, the lush velvets and the rusty orange shades of colour that truly caught our fancy. The brand poetically described this collection saying: “Our clothes are not simply for women; they are about women. Their contradictions, their routines, their strength, their sensuality, their duality. It is all there, expressed in clothes.”

19. Valentino

Valentino as a brand needs no introduction and soon, neither will the Valentino Le Noir collection. When posed with a monochromatic collection, it can be difficult to innovate beyond the ordinary. However, leave it to Valentino to take monochrome and make it mystically hypnotic. The label described it best: “A color of the everyday, used to recontextualize the signs and signifiers of the Maison - rosettes, ruffles, embroideries, lace.”

20. Mugler

If Mugler’s 80s inspired line signifies a fashion renaissance, we will be first in line to jump on the trend. Mugler is the sexiest fashion label in recent times and the brand’s collection from PFW is a testament to the cultural shift that occurs each time the fashion house designs and displays. Experimenting with leather and futuristic silhouettes, we love to see Mugler receiving their well-deserved applause for this collection.

21. Stella McCartney

Titled ‘A Message From Mother Earth’, Stella McCartney’s is the latest in a line of phenomenal fashioning. Sparkling bodysuits and structured formal dresses, it’s almost like they peered into the fashion-focussed dream journals of women everywhere. Celebrating the Earth and divine feminine energy all while gifting us the best of luxury womenswear, Stella McCartney never ceases to amaze.

22. Chanel

Chanel’s fall/winter collection for PFW is awe-inspiring and enchantingly delicate in design. The label’s show was laced with iconic symbolism in the form of brooches, buttons and neckpieces. There have been hushed whispers about the return of the chapeau and if this is what’s in store, you can count us in for this particular fashion resurgence. All in all, Chanel’s line was an absolute crowd-pleaser.

23. Miu Miu

Shining the spotlight on the concept of girlhood, Miu Miu put on what can only be described as a masterclass in ageing elegance. Every single look from the show was conceptually regal and stylistically incredible. Proving that the details are significant to any ensemble, Miu Miu’s metallic floral embellishments and textured shiny gloves made for the ultimate finishing touches to the collection.

24. Louis Vuitton

Last but not least, we have Louis Vuitton’s fall/winter collection and don’t be fooled by the placement, this show is among our reigning favourites. Under the guidance of Nicolas Ghesquière, the Maison has intricately designed a collection that took Paris Fashion Week by storm. This collection artistically incorporated elements of embroidery, motifs and accessories that resulted in an iconic fashion show. One glance at the embroidered sequinned bluish-grey dress with the feathered gloves and we were floored.