More than just a fashion week, Paris Couture Week 2024 marked a pivotal moment of power transition and an explosion of creative spirit. From Glenn Martens' impressive avant-garde debut at Maison Margiela, to the notable absence of Dior, and the preparations to reshape the future of major fashion houses, this couture season promises many surprises and new hopes for the world of high fashion.
More than just a fashion week, Paris Couture Week 2024 marked a pivotal moment of power transition and an explosion of creative spirit. From Glenn Martens' impressive avant-garde debut at Maison Margiela, to the notable absence of Dior, and the preparations to reshape the future of major fashion houses, this couture season promises many surprises and new hopes for the world of high fashion.
October 18, 2025
More than just a fashion week, Paris Couture Week 2024 marked a pivotal moment of power transition and an explosion of creative spirit. From Glenn Martens' impressive avant-garde debut at Maison Margiela, to the notable absence of Dior, and the preparations to reshape the future of major fashion houses, this couture season promises many surprises and new hopes for the world of high fashion.
Paris Couture Week's status as the pinnacle of fashion innovation has evolved over decades, from the historic Battle of Versailles in 1973, which first brought global spotlight to French and American designers, to today's boundary-pushing presentations in 2024.
Paris Couture Week has long been the global epicenter for fashion enthusiasts. Yet the schedule for Paris Haute Couture Week Fall 2024, held from July 7 to 10, witnessed significant changes, making the "designer musical chairs" phenomenon more evident than ever before.
Shortly after Glenn Martens' avant-garde debut at Maison Margiela, the wave of power transitions became even more dynamic. Notably, Demna continued to make his mark with a series of impressive haute couture and ready-to-wear shows in the Fall 2024 season, while his final collection for Balenciaga was presented at Paris Couture Week Fall/Winter 2025. More than a goodbye, it marks emotional closing chapter after nearly a decade of dedication, while also paving the way for new creative directions under Gucci’s banner.
The absence of several major names during that couture season was also noteworthy. Dior's temporary withdrawal from the Fall-Winter 2024 schedule follows an historic transition, appointing Jonathan Anderson - the visionary British designer - to unify creative control. Moving on from Maria Grazia Chiuri's influential tenure, marked by feminist aesthetics and contemporary artisanal craftmanship, Anderson embarks on a fresh, eagerly anticipated chapter for Dior Haute Couture.
Also within the transformative framework of 2024, Jean Paul Gaultier temporarily paused his haute couture line during this season to focus on ready-to-wear development, ahead of a full couture revival in 2025. The brand’s new era begins with the official appointment of Duran Lantink as Creative Director, responsible for steering both ready-to-wear and haute couture lines, marking an important milestone in its evolution.
Alongside these changes, veteran houses such as Chanel, Giambattista Valli, Zuhair Murad, and Stéphane Rolland maintained their usual show slots, continuing to assert their prominence on the Haute Couture Paris map. Chanel unveils its final studio collection before handing creative reins to Matthieu Blazy in December 2024. Giorgio Armani Privé maintains steady performance with dual shows, while Elie Saab, Viktor & Rolf, Juana Martin, and Ashi Studio adapt their timings slightly.
The return of Iris Van Herpen, Robert Wun, ArdAzAei, and Adeline André highlights renewed vitality, signaling a dynamic rebirth within the global couture community at that time.
Recent seasons have traced a vibrant evolution in Paris Couture Week - from 2022’s retro revival and heritage homage to the amplified craft and embellishment of 2023.
The 2022 season marked a strong resurgence of retromania and heritage, featuring classic motifs and elegant silhouettes like ballet-inspired designs and lace from houses such as Chanel, Dior, Valentino, and Jean Paul Gaultier. European armor and metallic inspirations were carried forward by Daniel Roseberry, embracing an avant-garde, metallic gold, and 3D floral aesthetic for Schiaparelli. This season also expanded the design language with layering, sheer fabrics, and exaggerated, sculptural forms.
Moving into 2023, couture gained further splendor with a blend of exquisite craftsmanship and intricate embellishments. Schiaparelli’s surreal animal-head gowns went viral, a testament to its bold creativity. Ombré palettes and gradients metallics effects applied through dyeing techniques by Schiaparelli, Rahul Mishra or draping technique by Kim Jones for Fendi Haute Couture Fall 2023 enhanced fluidity and ethereal softness.
By 2024, Paris Couture Week Paris Couture Week had truly solidified its position as a multi-dimensional playground, where uniqueness was championed more than ever. Spanning four days and featuring dozens of shows and presentations, the week affirmed a new trend: personalizing the experience and elevating the intrinsic value of haute couture. As Virginie Viard closes her chapter, CHANEL’s studio collection proclaims heritage’s endurance amid change. Meanwhile, Giorgio Armani Privé, Elie Saab, and Viktor & Rolf continued to redefine material, from layered silks to modern metallics and contemporary fringes - enriching the spirit of couture with poetic inspiration and contemporary individuality.
As couture continuously evolves, a generation of pioneering designers has emerged and continues to rise, unafraid to infuse Paris Couture Week with fresh perspectives.
A prime example is Iris Van Herpen, a designer who consistently pioneers futuristic designs. She constantly integrates futuristic 3D printing and cutting-edge textiles, fostering a fusion of traditional couture and high-tech innovation. Her Fall/Winter 2024 collection impressed with gravity-defying forms that transcend conventional silhouettes.
Rahul Mishra, the first Indian designer to be featured on the Paris couture stage, championed sustainable fashion while preserving the creative and luxurious spirit of traditional couture. Mishra presented a collection that celebrated meticulous Indian craftmanship through sustainable materials and intricate hand embroidery. This marked a significant step in raising environmental consciousness without sacrificing traditional artistry.
In stark contrast, Robert Wun introduced dark gothic mystery into couture with his “Time Today” collection. Continuously experimenting with structure and textiles, he captivates with blood-red gowns revealing flesh-like textures, fabric erosion effects, and haunting details that assert a distinctive voice within contemporary haute couture.
Paris Couture Week 2024 is more than a fashion event - it’s a dynamic arena where rigorous craftsmanship meets bold innovation. Designers assert creative autonomy, transforming the runway into an endless playground for artistry and individuality.
