Fashion

Paris Haute Couture Week kicked off in spectacular style on Monday, 26 January 2026, transforming the French capital into an atelier of dreams where craftsmanship and creativity reigned supreme. Day 1 was defined by momentous debuts and artistic spectacle, most notably Jonathan Anderson’s first haute couture collection for Christian Dior, a defining moment that set the tone for an exhilarating season. 

As couture’s most revered houses unveiled their Spring-Summer 2026 visions, the runway became a stage for juxtaposing heritage and contemporary vision, with designers drawing on history, nature, and surrealist fantasy to conjure fresh narratives in fashion.

Schiaparelli’s surrealist splendour

Schiaparelli’s couture offering leaned fully into the house’s surrealist DNA, presenting a collection inspired by lost treasures and imagined relics. Roseberry explored the idea of myth and power through exaggerated forms, sculptural silhouettes, and gilded detailing that evoked armour, artefacts, and ceremonial dress. The collection blurred fantasy and history, reinforcing Schiaparelli’s position as couture’s most theatrical storyteller. Actress Teyana Taylor made waves on the Paris scene in a striking lace-and-platform ensemble wearing historic jewels inspired by the Louvre heist.

Georges Hobeika’s luxe elegance

Georges Hobeika’s runway was all about luxury and craftsmanship, with cascading florals, rich textures and luminous fabrics. A favourite among couture connoisseurs, Hobeika’s collection celebrated ornamental detail intertwined with impeccable construction, a reminder that haute couture’s essence lies in hand-finished artistry. The theme revolved around elegance as a form of strength, presenting couture as both ornamental and empowering.

Christian Dior: Jonathan Anderson’s couture debut

Jonathan Anderson’s first haute couture outing for Dior was without question the standout moment of the day. Set beneath a canopy of cyclamen flowers, a motif gifted to him by predecessor John Galliano, the collection married romantic florals with sculptural silhouette and timeless technique. Anderson’s nuanced approach fused Dior’s heritage with a fresh, nature-inspired narrative, framing couture as “living knowledge” where artisanal craft drives innovation. The show, characterised by chiffon, embroidered floral motifs, delicate silk layers and reinterpreted Bar jackets, confirmed that Anderson’s visionary yet respectful reinvention of the house has arrived.

Rahul Mishra’s textured poetry

Rahul Mishra’s couture collection continued his exploration of nature, sustainability, and human craftsmanship. Using intricate embroidery and organic motifs, the collection told a story of coexistence between the natural world and artisanal tradition. Each piece felt meditative and intentional, reinforcing Mishra’s belief in couture as slow fashion rooted in meaning rather than excess.

Julie de Libran’s modern romanticism

Julie de Libran’s collection centred on intimacy and elegance, offering a quieter, more emotional vision of couture. The designs explored femininity through fluid tailoring, delicate embellishment, and understated colour palettes. Rather than spectacle, the focus was on movement, texture, and the relationship between garment and wearer, positioning couture as something deeply personal and wearable.

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