Paris Fashion Week marks the final—and decidedly most anticipated—stop of fashion month, and this Autumn/Winter 2026 season is already delivering plenty of headline moments. Running from 3–10 March, the city is currently teeming with industry insiders, editors, buyers and tastemakers, all with a packed schedule of runway shows, presentations and glitzy events ahead—not to mention hopes of some seriously star-studded front rows.As the world’s biggest fashion houses including Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Loewe unveil their latest collections, the Paris Fashion Week AW26 shows are setting the tone for how we’ll all be dressing come autumn, and beyond.So, whether you're in town right now or not, below you'll find all the key highlights to emerge from Paris Fashion Week AW26 to ensure you're in the loop. From the most iconic runway moments and viral celebrity appearances, to the trends and collections everyone's talking about, these are the biggest stories worth knowing from Paris Fashion Week so far...
Dior's Glorious Garden Party
Jonathan Anderson set the bar incredibly high for this season of Paris Fashion Week as he kicked off proceedings with an extravagant Dior show in the Jardin des Tuileries—complete with Alexa Chung, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jisoo, Willow Smith and Priyanka Chopra on the front row. The collection itself was as grand and glorious as the setting called for: a series of voluminous tutus opened the show, with classic checks, pretty peplums, jazzy jeans, exquisite tailoring and playful accessories following behind. A pair of heels crafted to resemble a lily-pad was a particular highlight, and no doubt destined for sell-out success.
Saint Laurent's Star Power
Without fail, Anthony Vaccarello's Saint Laurent shows are some of the most glamorous and star-studded on the annual fashion calendar—and this season was no different. The front row was packed with the likes of Kate Moss, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zoe Kravitz and Blackpink's Rosé, while Bella Hadid surprised guests by hitting the runway. The collection, meanwhile, acted as a tribute to the iconic Le Smoking suit, which was first debuted by the house's founder 60 years ago. Other highlights included fresh takes on sultry, lingerie-like sheer lace dresses, statement bird-shaped earrings, and mega fur-trimmed coats; all together, the epitome of timeless glamour.
Dries Does It Again
For his fifth show at the helm of Dries Van Noten, rising star Julian Klausner was inspired by "the transient moment that leads from youth to adulthood." He explained in the show notes: "When identity forms and what we wear defines how we are perceived, and how we perceive ourselves. The fragile time of change, before identity sets in, lasts for a little moment before it is gone." Cue preppy touches and school uniform-inspired looks—albeit "with a rebellious tingle"—alongside more grown-up materials, patterns and cuts, but always with an alluringly playful touch.
Horsing Around at Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney took the Year of the Horse quite literally, hosting her AW26 show in a grand Parisian equine arena complete a dozen beautiful black and white horses. Oprah Winfrey and other high-profile guests had a front-row seat to enjoy the artistic display, that was led by equine artist Jean-François Pignon and formed a fantastic backdrop as model emerged clad in the latest collection. The standouts? Fabulous faux furs, gemstone-covered jeans, and a tongue-in-cheek t-shirt emblazoned with the words "My dad is a rock star".
Every Single Thing at Tom Ford
Everyone's (still) talking about the Tom Ford AW26 show, that was an undisputed standout of not just Paris, but this Fashion Month season as a whole. Haider Ackermann riffed on the dialogue of seduction for the collection; one with a decidedly sinister edge, and a certain underlying darkness. As the show notes explained, the concept was all about contrasts: "Hard and soft. Sharp and cocooning. Purity, with tension. The perfect suit, twisted." Pointy, sky-high stilettos, lashings of leather, plastic skirts, sheer layers, ultra-delicate lace and sharp tailoring made for a magnetic, deeply sultry vibe—one that the whole industry is already desperate to channel. Let the countdown to the collection drop begin...
Pieter's Adieu to Alaïa
Pieter Mulier has officially closed the curtain on his five-year tenure at Alaïa, with a show that stripped it all back to the "minimal, pure, essential" core of the brand—and that celebrated the team behind the scenes. In a touching gesture, the show space was decorated with portraits of personalities from the Alaïa atelier, shot by artist Keizo Kitajima—while Mulier added his own personal tribute and final farewell in the show notes. Everyone from Matthieu Blazy and Raf Simons to Alicia Silverstone turned out to see the historic AW26 show—the latter, of course, being the one who famously uttered that iconic Alaia line in Clueless many decades decades ago—all of whom rose to their feet to give Mulier a standing ovation as he took his final bow.
The Penfolds Party
Fashion darlings including Gabbriette, Lila Moss, Fai Khadra and designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin descended on Paris' trendy Quartier Général loft to celebrate the new creative partnership between two Australian icons: wine brand Penfolds, and Troye Sivan. The pop icon himself hosted the event, which included a glamorous dinner, DJ set and after-party, as well as the official unveiling—and drinking, naturally—of the limited-edition bottle Bin 389 Designed by Troye Sivan.
Chloé Goes Cottagecore
Chemena Kamali has officially called it: fashion's pared-back, quiet luxury, minimalism-obsessed days are over—in the world of Chloé, at the very least. Her latest collection was giving Little House on the Prairie in all the best ways, complete with peasant dresses, frou-frou skirts, ruffled hems, checked capes, and ditsy florals.
Wearable Fantasy at Schiaparelli
Daniel Roseberry continued to lean into Schiaparelli's surrealist DNA for AW26, exploring the tension between structure and fantasy—timely, too, given the house's illustrious history is set to be celebrated in an upcoming retrospective exhibition at London’s V&A. Aran knits were spliced with illusion tulle, leather-effect sheaths turned out to be printed silk, and fluid spiral-cut gowns came topped with glossy lamination. House codes—from the keyhole motif to measuring-tape detailing and sculptural animal-inspired accessories—reinforced the brand’s signature balance of artful irreverence and couture-level craft.
Isabel Marant's Girl Gang
Isabel Marant delivered exactly the kind of cool-girl wardrobe her fans come for, with creative director Kim Bekker riffing on the archetypal Parisienne for AW26. Boxy leather jackets, slouchy denim and chunky knits set the tone, later offset by sheer tulle dresses, lace camisoles and thigh-high boots that added a dose of after-dark sensuality. The result was classic Marant: effortless, slightly undone, and built for a fabulous night out with the girls.
New Loewe, Round Two
For their sophomore Loewe show, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez further expanded the playful, craft-led language they introduced last season. The AW26 collection saw the design duo lean into experimentation with sculptural silhouettes, art-inflected details inspired by Cosima von Bonin, and plenty of irreverent touches that nodded to fashion as a space for creative play—and “an expression of joy”. The collection also offered up a new contender for the next big ‘ugly shoe’: rubber-topped scuba-style kitten heels, that feel destined for success. Meanwhile, over on the front row, the likes of Aubrey Plaza, Julia Garner and Emily Ratajkowski flanked Love Story actor and fashion’s new favourite darling, Sarah Pidgeon.
Givenchy's Modern Woman
Sarah Burton continues to refine her vision for the historic house of Givenchy, with an AW26 collection rooted in cut, tailoring and sculptural silhouette. Her third runway outing for the brand also leaned into a broader idea of femininity—a multi-faceted mirror reflecting the complexity and strength of modern women. In this vein, Burton introduced bolder-than-usual hues and patterns while moving between sharp sartorial precision and fluid draping, with duchesse satin capes, shredded floral evening dresses and painterly references to Northern European old masters adding a sense of drama. Legendary milliner Stephen Jones collaborated on the headwear, twisting simple T-shirts into striking headwraps, while Eva Herzigova led a strong runway cast. Rooney Mara, Alexa Chung, Diane Kruger, Yseult and Elizabeth Olsen ensured plenty of star power on the front row, too.
Everything at Celine
Michael Rider's latest Celine collection was a major hit, delivering a collection of clothes (and accessories) that felt far more real-world-ready and wearable than many of the brand's designer counterparts. Which makes sense, given the show notes explained that the designer prioritised "style without irony", "intuition over strategy" and "making the things we all dream of finding and wearing" this season. Bravo!
Cheeky Chappell and a Radish Bouquet at Westwood
From the moment Chappell Roan arrived at the venue in a dramatic hair-do and dress that exposed her derrière, it was clear that Andreas Kronthaler's AW26 Vivienne Westwood show was going to be quite the spectacle. Lola Young, Paris Jackson and Jeremy Pope ensured the front row was suitably glitzy, while on the runway, models emerged in a fun, experimental collection inspired by Romy Schneider, Danilo Donati's 'The Canterbury Tales' costumes, and elements of erotic underwear. And for the finale? The traditional Westwood bride, hand-in-hand with a beaming Kronthaler, and carrying a bouquet of radishes.
Balenciaga's Cultural Moment
Pierpaolo Piccioli delivered one of the week’s most talked-about shows for Balenciaga, blurring fashion and pop culture with a dark, cinematic runway developed alongside Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. The collection leaned heavily into glossy black leather, oversized outerwear and sharply sculpted silhouettes, all set against moody lighting inspired by chiaroscuro painting. But it was Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams who stole the show as he took his pew on the front row beside the likes of Winona Ryder and Harris Dickinson, having already caused a feverish frenzy among fans outside.
Colour Pops at Paloma Wool
Barcelona-based brand Paloma Wool brought a much-needed dose of playful energy to the Paris Fashion Week schedule, kicking off day six with a catwalk composed of blue confetti, and a collection filled with characterful skirts, off-beat knits, staple jackets, and pops of fuchsia, green and blue. The handbags filled with 'emotional support' plushies and a final bow with the designer's young daughter certainly added to the joyful atmosphere, too.
Textural Feeling at Akris
For AW26, Akris' creative director Albert Kriemler collaborated with renowned Colombian textile artist Olga de Amaral, using her richly tactile woven works as the starting point for his latest collection. As one might expect, then, texture was (quite literally) the thread that ran through the show—from the beautiful black-and-gold woven fabric swatch on each guest's seat and the giant beaded curtain that models emerged through, to the looks themselves. Pieces crafted from shiny, luxurious eel leather and horsehair were real surprise standouts, while the use of bold pinks, greens, blues and reds added an injection of luminous joy to this meditation on how clothing is something to be felt as much as seen.
McQueen's Modern Dolls
Once again, Chappell Roan set the tone ahead of the show, arriving at McQueen in a sheer black gown worn with nothing but a thong beneath, a bejewelled metal collar necklace and her signature red locks dramatically draped down her back. Seán McGirr leaned into a similarly dark, theatrical energy for AW26, borrowing silhouettes from the house’s iconic Widows of Culloden collection to explore themes of modern identity. The result? Sharp gothic tailoring, boned corset dresses and delicate lace, alongside a striking feather-covered shoulder cape, a refreshed iteration of the infamous Bumsters, knee-high leather boots and eerily doll-like beauty looks.
Zimmermann’s Trailblazers
For a collection inspired by “trailblazing Australian women who redefined what was possible for future generations”, it felt fitting that the front row at Zimmermann was filled with modern-day powerhouses such as Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Chastain, Naomi Watts, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Saffron Hocking. Their presence imbued the occasion with a certain spirited energy, that was only exemplified further by the sun shining through the venue’s glass roof and the subtle gold shimmer emanating from the set. A glorious backdrop for a beautiful, joy-sparking collection, that played with the contrast between feminine silhouettes and menswear details, introduced new signature prints, and channeled the brand’s signature elevated Aussie free-spirit aesthetic while making it AW-appropriate by way of leather, faux fur, and knits.
Clothes With a Cause at Gabriela Hearst
Gabriela Hearst dedicated her AW26 collection to Save the Children founder Eglantyne Jebb, translating the activist’s strength into a collection grounded in craft and purpose. Lace emerged as a key thread—from the brand’s signature cashmere lace dresses to hand-crocheted pieces made with a women’s artisan collective in Bolivia—alongside tactile tailoring in tweeds and cashmere corduroy. The palette was kept typically restrained to echo Jebb’s own wardrobe, albeit occasionally punctuated by flashes of blue and rich reds. But beyond crafting beautiful clothes ready to step right into the modern woman's wardrobe, Hearst used the finale to deliver a quietly powerful message. Models walked to a children’s choir rendition of God Only Knows, before the designer herself took her bow in a Save the Children T-shirt—a poignant reminder of the cause at the heart of the collection, and one that feels particularly resonant in light of current world events.
Another Blazy Triumph
The Chanel show is always the most hotly anticipated on the Paris Fashion Week calendar, and even more so this season given that Matthieu Blazy's first collection for the house had finally dropped in stores just days before, and caused a veritable frenzy. Hungry for more, guests including Margot Robbie, Oprah and Kylie Minogue lapped up every look at Blazy's AW26 show, filling their mental wish-lists with all the striking skirt suits, couture-worthy dresses, fabulous coats and exquisite accessories that made their way down the runway.
Zendaya at Vuitton
Zendaya's sole appearance of the AW26 Fashion Week season? On the front row for Louis Vuitton, of course! The house ambassador brought serious star power to the show as she arrived in a white shirt dress featuring a dramatic puffball skirt, exaggerated lapels and a major leg slit—certainly an interesting choice given that rumours of a secret wedding have only just started to emerge...
Miu Miu's All Grown Up
And last but certainly not least came Miu Miu, closing out another epic season of fashion shows with a collection that offered a grown-up take on signature girlish house codes. Think: pared-back but bow-topped mini dresses, lived-in leathers, fur-lined shell jackets, hiking shoes, pretty camis, and nostalgic Nineties zig-zag headbands—as well as an all-star runway cast that included Chloë Sevigny, Gillian Anderson, Kristen McMenamy and Gemma Ward.
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