Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: Paris Haute Couture Week Autumn/Winter 2026

Couture pushed the boundaries of imagination this season, as designers transformed fabric, technology, and artistry into works of wonder.

 

Once again, Paris Haute Couture Week came and went in a flurry of amazing creative designs. Every season reminds us that couture is where fashion and artistry meet, showcasing the extraordinary lengths designers go to in pursuit of creativity.

For this Haute Couture Week, around 30 shows and presentations took place, with notable names like Dior, CHANEL, and Schiaparelli taking to the runway.  For Dior and CHANEL, it was Jonathan Anderson’s and Matthieu Blazy’s sophomore presentations since joining their respective brands. 

Schiaparelli once again amazed with a collection that pushed the boundaries of craftsmanship through the use of latex, silicone, and even LED lights. At Iris van Herpen, innovation also took centre stage with a plasma-generated lighting dress illuminating the runway, 

Both Robert Wun and CHANEL embraced a childlike sense of wonder, , reinterpreting characters from stories and bringing fairy tale essence onto the runway. Elsewhere, Rahul Mishra and Tamara Ralph drew inspiration from their cultures. 

Amidst all the themes and forms of expression ,  these are the key trends across each show at the Autumn/Winter Haute Couture season.

 

Read also: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: Paris Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026

 

Corporate couture

 

When you think of couture, you naturally envision sculptural and experimental looks. However, this season, designers also showcased several corporate-inspired designs on the haute couture stage, blending both worlds in the best way.

For her second presentation with Giorgio Armani Privé, Silvana Armani tapped into her love for trousers with a collection filled with shirts and trousers. Schiaparelli also had a couple of looks featuring suits and skirts, but with a haute couture interpretation. Dior tapped into the power dressing trend, while Matthieu Blazy’s CHANEL tapped into the trend with its notable tweed looks 

Additionally, brands like Tamara Ralph, Standing Ground, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Zuhair Murad showcased classy corporate looks.

 

Modern armour 

 

A notable trend this season was the breastplate look. A lot of brands really tapped into it, bringing back the look in full force this season.

The iconic Schiaparelli featured a notable number of breastplate pieces. One standout white dress was even immediately flown off the model to Zendaya, who wore it to The Odyssey premiere in London.

At Ashi Studio, the breastplate silhouette also showcased itself in different ways — one in a wooden texture and another in a broken-face texture. Robert Wun also had a sort of breastplate that was separated from the body of a ballerina dress, while still giving it that sculpted look.

At Jean Paul Gaultier, the battle armour-inspired breastplate look was featured in a wine-red colour with matching tight detailing.

 

Floral fantasy 

 

Flowers for spring? No — flowers for Autumn/Winter.

With the abundance of flowers seen on the runway, you would think the collections were for the Spring/Summer season. But this also shows that no trend is limited to a certain season or period of time.

At Schiaparelli, several dresses featured real flowers that were fed with sugar water to keep them preserved. Rahul Mishra featured intricate flower embroidery on their bridal  look, while CHANEL featured floral embroidery on their pieces as well.

Balenciaga, Ashi Studio, Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Tamara Ralph, and more — almost every brand on the runway this season — showcased bursts of flowers on their pieces. Giving them a touch of colour and life.

 

Read also: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026

 

Flow with ease 

 

This season was absolutely a showcase that couture can be whatever you want it to be. A lot of brands presented flowy, drapey, relaxed pieces that felt perfect for everyday and even casual settings. Tamara Ralph presented breezy looks that flowed beautifully. Balenciaga also showcased signature flowy dresses.

Fendi featured several relaxed silhouettes, including a black-and-white design worn by Awar Odhiang with a deep V-neck. Zuhair Murad embraced the trend and presented a flowing, windswept black dress.

 

The art of the fold 

 

Pleating took on many forms this season, with accordion and micro pleats adding movement, texture, and dimension to the collections. A couple of brands, including Dior, Elie Saab, and Zuhair Murad, made great use of pleats throughout their collections.

 

Runway illuminated 

 

Two standout brands captivated audiences with their illumination of the runway with their respective pieces.

At Schiaparelli, Daniel Roseberry used  LED lights inside silicone, latex and other fabrics, causing the pieces to shine from within.

Iris van Herpen additionally integrated technology by using plasma to generate light, creating a lightning effect in a dress.

 

 Read also: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026

 

Sculptural bubbles

 

If I had a kobo for every dress I saw on the runway that looked like a mushroom, I’d have a couple — which isn’t a lot, but it’s something considering just how many mushroom-shaped silhouettes appeared this season.

At Robert Wun, there was a standout lime-green bubble skirt that echoed the mushroom shape. Jean Paul Gaultier also showcased a look with a circular, bubble-shaped silhouette featuring a flower encased in glass.

Balenciaga presented a feathery hot-pink mushroom-like silhouette, while Schiaparelli also embraced the shape in a cream dress with brown spots.

 

Structured to hold 

 

Corsets are always a staple on the runway, but this season, many designers experimented with a particular style. 

At Schiaparelli, Rahul Mishra, and Germanier, the corsets were structured in a cup shape, almost leaving you wondering how they were being held in place, but somehow, they worked. Iris van Herpen and Ashi Studio, as well, embraced the style in their own distinct ways.

 

Otherworldly elegance 

 

Several designers showcased otherworldly-looking outfits this season. Iris van Herpen had very mystical-looking outfits, Schiaparelli, with its squid-like tentacles, and Ashi Studio, with its animal-like skin textures, all embraced the mystical fantasy aesthetic.

The looks showed how designers tapped into otherworldly, fantasy, and animal-inspired references to create truly imaginative collections.

 

 Read also: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026

 

Feathers every time 

 

Another staple you often see on the runway is feathers, and they were certainly not missed this season. There were different types of feathers, from ostrich feathers to bird feathers and even pool noodles to give off the semblance of feather embellishments.

Brands like CHANEL, Stéphane Rolland, Germanier, Elie Saab, Ashi Studio, Balenciaga, and Zuhair Murad all used feathers to accentuate and add volume to their looks.

 

See you at Haute Couture SS27

As these recurring themes and trends move beyond the runway, they begin to  influence the way we dress and create, helping to define not only the coming season but, in many cases, the years ahead. Paris Haute Couture Week was a beautiful showcase of imagination and innovation this year, and we can’t wait to see what next season has in store.

 

Read more: Marie Claire Nigeria Trend Report: New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026

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