For a brief moment, after Céline canceled her menswear show in Paris due to the recent unrest in France, there were concerns about whether last week’s haute couture shows would go as planned. But by the time guests began arriving at Alaïa, one of the first events of Haute Couture Week, dutifully carrying the custom chairs the brand had sent them for them to sit on, it became clear: The shows would go on.
At Schiaparelli, the home’s signature gold trim and surreal details were on full display. Thom Browne, in his haute couture show, has transformed the opera house into a fairy-tale costume-filled wonderland. Valentino displayed ethereal gowns against the backdrop of the Château de Chantilly, a palatial setting outside of Paris and one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever photographed. Cardi B, who sat several front rows, was apparently the season’s indispensable celebrity guest.
In the crowds outside the shows, there were significantly fewer peacocks. Some people have retired bright color palettes for a more subdued, monochromatic look. Others have replaced square-shaped garments, which have dominated the style of guests and fans in recent years, with pieces with softer, more streamlined shapes.