At this year’s Paris Fashion Week, the runway buzzed with innovation and an eco-conscious ethos, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge style for the Spring/Summer 2025 collections.
This season’s Paris Fashion Week delivered an evocative blend of reflection and innovation, marrying deep-seated traditions with bold new directions in design. From Balenciaga’s inventive silhouettes to Stella McCartney’s fervent eco-crusade, the collections for Spring/Summer 2025 showcased fashion and posed questions about sustainability and heritage in the modern wardrobe.
Balenciaga’s Kitchen Couture
On Monday, set against a backdrop resembling an oversized kitchen table, a nod to the past, Balenciaga unveiled a diverse collection. The show began with a lingerie line, rich in boudoir swing, featuring jacquard thigh-high shoes and large amber fur coats. Georgian designer Demna returned to his roots, reminiscent of sketching at his grandmother’s kitchen corner. His collection later transitioned to streetwear, featuring ultra-low-rise bootcut jeans and an oversized bomber jacket, termed the “cocoon jacket,” worn high above the waist. Evening wear retained a more classical allure, highlighted by Demna’s signature oversized coats.
Stella McCartney’s Avian Advocacy
In a poignant display near the Eiffel Tower, Stella McCartney honored the “billions of birds” killed for fashion, urging the industry towards sustainable practices. The British designer has long been a trailblazer for sustainability, famously advocating against fur and feather use in fashion. “I approached things from a different angle,” she shared post-show, introducing high-end garments crafted from unique materials like lentils and mushroom leather, while avian motifs dominated her collection, displayed on bare chests adorned with bird-shaped jewels.
Retro and Nostalgia at Zimmermann and Pierre Cardin
Zimmermann took attendees on a nostalgic trip reminiscent of a beachside souvenir shop, complete with the scent of monoi oil, showcasing taffeta bags, ethnic necklaces and frilly dresses. Meanwhile, Pierre Cardin’s Monday show revisited the classics with a neoprene twist, straight cuts and structured materials evoking the ’60s but with a more retro than futuristic flair.
Protests and Sustainability Challenges
The fashion industry continues to face scrutiny over its environmental impact. Notable protests by PETA at Hermès and Dior’s shows highlighted ongoing concerns about the use of exotic leathers. Despite these challenges, the industry sees a push towards more sustainable practices, underscored by McCartney’s role as a sustainability consultant for LVMH, which has invested in her brand.
With AFP
