Spotlight on Haute Couture Week S/S 2025, featuring Chanel and Valentino's finest collections

The city of lights, Paris, is once again the epicentre of the fashion world, as the Haute Couture Week S/S 2025 takes centre stage. This week-long event attracts a glamorous crowd, including Hollywood celebrities and clients from around the world.

Chanel Celebrates 110 Years of Haute Couture

One of the highlights of the week was Chanel's celebration of 110 years of haute couture. The collection, staged at the Grand Palais, was inspired by Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel's embrace of color in the 1980s, as highlighted in the 2023 V&A exhibition of her work. The collection features a bolder palette of crimson red, royal blue, purple, pastel pinks, greens, and yellows.

The collection also drew inspiration from a Seal and Mylène Farmer video where they are lost at sea. This theme is reflected in the dramatically flared crinoline waistlines, reminiscent of the Trapèze line designed by Yves Saint Laurent for Dior in 1958. The collection features extraordinary sculpted gowns, darting inwards at the waist and outwards at the hips, recalling the work of Charles Frederick Worth.

A New Era for Valentino's Haute Couture

Another significant event was Alessandro Michele's debut couture collection for Valentino. Michele, responsible for Valentino's Haute Couture collection for the first time in 2025, presented a collection that had a dishevelled, windswept glamour. The collection was designed by an in-house team and the petites mains of Chanel's historic couture atelier.

Other Notable Collections

Giorgio Armani presented his latest Armani Privé show, which marked 20 years of the couture arm of the Milanese house. The show also inaugurated Palazzo Armani, a new residence in Paris' 8th arrondissement. The silhouettes in the collection were light and youthful, with billowing satin capes, bold shoulder lines, and floating organza dresses adorned with feathers.

Maria Grazia Chiuri's Dior couture collection was inspired by Alice's journey through Wonderland. The collection featured richly adorned mini dresses with jutting crinolines, delicate 3D floral motifs on featherweight ruched tulle, and open-fronted tailoring, nipped at the waist.

Daniel Roseberry's Schiaparelli outing took its name from the Greek myth of Icarus. The collection showcased bold and innovative designs, reflecting Roseberry's unique vision for the brand.

Jean Paul Gaultier's haute couture line has a series of guest designers, with Ludovic de Saint Sernin being the latest. Saint Sernin titled his S/S 2025 collection 'Le Naufrage', which means 'shipwreck'. The collection was a testament to Saint Sernin's creative prowess, with a focus on dramatic silhouettes and intricate detailing.

In conclusion, the Haute Couture Week S/S 2025 in Paris was a celebration of fashion, creativity, and innovation. Each collection showcased a unique vision, reflecting the craftsmanship and artistry of the designers involved. The week was a reminder of the enduring allure of haute couture and its ability to inspire and captivate audiences.