The street style set of Paris Fashion Week delivered a visual feast that would put Brassiere Lipp’s signature steak-frites and Chez Janou’s famous chocolate mousse to shame. As the final stop of the travelling sartorial circus, one might think that the industry insiders and tastemakers who visit every style capital would’ve given up trying by now, arriving at shows in their definition of business casual in hotel-esque slippers from Charvet and oversized sunglasses that would swallow any signs of under-eye bags whole. On the contrary. Reaching the end of the line has seemed to give attendees a second wind, as big-name editors, starry clientele and all manner of celebrity guests cohabit in the City of Lights.

For the spring/summer 2027 season, a full calendar year on from the countless new creative director debuts, the city found its rhythm as a hum of clacky stilettos hit the cobblestone pavements. Incumbent LVMH Prize winner, Belgian-born Julie Kegels, opened the week with an avant-garde collection of drop-crotch tan stockings and crystal-adorned nipple pasties. Dior was a true breath of fresh air, as Johnathan Anderson gathered the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Rihanna at the Jardin des Tuileries for a show buoyed by lightness. The mood immediately shifted to darkness as Anthony Vaccarello painted the Trocadéro Fountain black and gold. Proving his Midas touch at what is rumoured to be his final collection after a decade at the helm of the French maison, the designer illuminated the night sky with gilded silhouettes that crescendoed into a finale of funeral-inspired attire. Talk about mourning glory.