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Paris, France, is set to host its renowned Autumn-Winter Men’s Fashion Week, commencing this Tuesday, January 16. Anticipated to be a pivotal event, it promises to unveil key trends that will sculpt the fashion landscape for the year. The week’s inaugural highlight is the unveiling of Pharrell Williams’ third collection for Louis Vuitton.
Marking a departure from previous venues, Pharrell Williams has chosen the scenic Jardin d’Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne as the setting for the dynamic Louis Vuitton show, which promises to be an intersection of fashion, music and kinetic presentation.
The American artist, who since 2023 has infused the luxury bag brand with a pop culture essence, is expected to draw a galaxy of celebrities, including the basketball icon LeBron James, the brand’s latest ambassador.
After a three-year hiatus from Paris’s winter fashion assembly, Olivier Rousteing makes a return, gracing the Parisian runways with a new men’s collection for Balmain. Esteemed luxury houses such as Valentino, Dior Homme and Givenchy – the latter presenting without its creative director Matthew M. Williams – will also showcase their latest creations.
Independent fashion houses are equally in the spotlight, with Alexandre Mattiussi’s AMI Paris expected to captivate audiences. Known for his “fashion happenings”, Mattiussi transitions from orchestrating a temporary skating rink to directing a music video for Isabelle Adjani in December.
As for the emerging trends, Vanity Fair’s fashion expert Pierre Groppo anticipates a resurgence of classic elements, such as leather shoes and innovative adaptations of ties as accessories. “Oversize is likely to prevail, with an expectation of drooping shoulders and a prevalence of shimmering effects and sequins,” Groppo adds.
Conspicuously absent from the official calendar are Saint Laurent and Hedi Slimane’s Céline. Similarly, the French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, known for his unorthodox approach, will present independently on January 29 in his native Provence.
Despite frigid temperatures, the fashion festivities will predominantly unfold around the Champs-Elysées, with 42 runway shows and 32 presentations spread over six days, from January 16 to 21. Supplementing the official schedule are numerous off-calendar events, presentations and soirées, providing a platform for emerging talents and independent labels.
Following the men’s shows, Paris will continue to be the epicenter of fashion with the Haute Couture Week from January 21 to 25, featuring illustrious houses like Chanel, Valentino, Fendi and Balmain. The official guest designer this season is the 33-year-old Dutch native Peet Dullaert, acclaimed for his ethereal silhouettes, who is now based in Paris.
With AFP.
