While New York Fashion Week showcased diverse and avant-garde designs, the attraction of Paris Fashion Week remains unparalleled. “The City of Light” is renowned for its timeless elegance, haute couture, and the ability to captivate the global fashion industry. In contrast, the vibrant energy of New York City allows for more experimental and cutting-edge presentations, where designers push the boundaries of fashion. Both fashion weeks, each taking place twice a year, offer unique perspectives and cater to distinct tastes and aesthetics.
Paris Fashion Week
As Paris Fashion Week ran from Sept. 23rd-Oct. 1st, some of the industry’s most prominent labels, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Miu Miu, showcased their Spring/Summer 2025 collections. These final shows were marked by a prevailing sense of uncertainty, as brands grappled with the question of what the future of fashion will hold. Dries Van Noten, for instance, hosted its first runway presentation since the departure of its eponymous designer, signaling a shift in creative direction.
This week of fashion captivated audiences with a parade of bold, innovative designs from some of the industry’s most renowned names. Alessandro Michele made a triumphant return, showcasing his first runway show for Valentino with his signature theatrical flair. Meanwhile, Jonathan Anderson delivered a “radical act of reduction” at Loewe, paring down his collection to its essential elements.
Junior Sophia Alvarez expresses, “I think the fashion looks Chanel had were my favorite. You could never go wrong with a classic black and white look.” Other big-name designers like Balenciaga, Hermès, Saint Laurent, and Dior also presented their highly anticipated Spring/Summer 2025 collections, reinforcing Paris as the epicenter of global fashion.
As the fashion world’s elite descended upon the “City of Light,” all eyes were on the front rows, where A-list stars mingled with the industry’s most influential tastemakers. Celebrities from all corners of the entertainment industry made their presence felt, from Pharrell Williams taking a front-row seat at Loewe to Cardi B channeling the runway’s edgy aesthetic at Mugler. Even celebrities that aren’t seen often at shows like Elton John, Harry Styles, and Andrew Garfield, were at the forefront of the show.
To top it off, Kylie Jenner made a surprise appearance, closing out the Coperni Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show in Paris with a dramatic flourish. The reality star strutted down the runway in a voluminous black taffeta gown, with a fitted bodice, and a giant bouffant skirt. She completed the look with matching opera gloves held up by a buckle beneath her shoulders. Jenner later gushed about the “fairytale” moment, saying she “felt like a real-life princess.”
New York Fashion Week
The Spring/Summer 2025 fashion season at New York Fashion Week was marked by a return to the grand Chanel runway show at the newly restored Grand Palais, a celebratory Coperni presentation at Disneyland, and a thought-provoking Miu Miu collection that examined the blurring of fact and fiction in the post-truth era. Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière explored the concept of “soft power” through contrasting yet harmonious design elements.
The streets outside the Fashion Week shows were a wide range of bold, eye-catching outfits that showcased the diversity of personal style. Attendees effortlessly mixed high and low fashion pieces, pairing designer garments with more affordable staples. Whether rocking the latest runway trends or putting a unique spin on classic silhouettes, these fashion enthusiasts proved that true style is all about self-expression.
On the runway, many designers found ways to make over-the-top trends from previous seasons—exaggerated fringe or sheer skirts—more wearable for the everyday woman. Designers like Rachel Comey, Tibi, and Maria McManus struck a balance between revealing fabrics and concealing shapes, pairing sheer pieces with blazers or drop-waist tops to create looks that felt elevated yet still practical. This focus on “future wearability” resulted in collections that offered a fresh take on the kind of clothes shoppers would want to wear come springtime, without sacrificing the creativity and flair that makes fashion week so exciting.
New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week are both prominent events in the global fashion calendar. Both showcase the latest trends and collections from top designers, drawing in fashion enthusiasts, industry professionals, and media from around the world. However, the cultural and historical influences of each city lend distinct personalities to their respective fashion weeks.
Paris, with its rich fashion legacy and haute couture traditions, exudes an air of sophistication and refinement. In contrast, New York’s fashion week embraces a more youthful, innovative, and commercially driven spirit. The importance of these events lies in their ability to shape global fashion narratives, inspire designers, and captivate audiences, making them vital touchpoints in the ever-evolving world of style.
