Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week is regarded as one of the most prominent events in the fashion industry. The biannual event is categorized as one sector of the “Big Four,” completed by London, New York and Milan Fashion Weeks.
Divided into menswear, haute couture and ready-to-wear, Paris Fashion Week follows a spring and fall schedule, with the dates determined by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode — the French Fashion Federation.
The organization presented the first official Paris Fashion Week in 1973, overseen by New York Fashion Week founder Eleanor Lambert and Versailles curator Gérald Van der Kemp. Doubling as a fundraiser to renovate the Palace of Versailles, the event marked the first time menswear, haute couture and rtw were showcased together in Paris.
The inaugural event served as a turning point for fashion events to come, and included the Battle of Versailles fashion show on Nov. 30, 1973. Dubbed by WWD’s editor John B. Fairchild as the "Battle," the landmark fashion competition saw five American brands — Anne Klein, Bill Blass, Halston, Oscar de la Renta and Stephen Burrows — showcase eight designs against French designers — Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Emanuel Ungaro, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent. Big stars including Josephine Baker, Elizabeth Taylor and Liza Minelli attended — and the American designers emerged victorious.
Over time, Paris Fashion Week has expanded, becoming the more daring of the other fashion weeks, and put the city of Paris on the map as one of the most fashionable in the world. Although Paris Fashion Week doesn't have a designated venue, a landmark location for most Paris Fashion Week shows is the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, which is appreciated for its architectural design.
Renowned moments in Paris Fashion Week history include Thierry Mugler’s 1984 fashion show, the first time a designer opened a runway show to the French paying public; Madonna gracing Jean Paul Gaultier’s 1992 runway show in a topless bra, and the late Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel fall 2014 rtw fashion show, which featured a supermarket-themed runway.
Contributing to the digital age, Paris Fashion Week has also become a spectacle for viral moments on social media. Coperni’s 2022 Paris Fashion Week show concluded with Bella Hadid having her Fabrican dress spray-painted on in real-time, gaining 2.8 million likes on Instagram.
Paris Fashion Week
The Stars Aligned for Matthieu Blazy’s Debut Chanel Show With Nicole Kidman, Pedro Pascal, Margot Robbie Front Row
The house brought out its galaxy of brand ambassadors and guests including Tilda Swinton and Kendall Jenner.
Johanna Ortiz Spring 2026: A River Runs Through It
The Colombian designer continued her run of very wearable looks, with a new emphasis on outerwear.
Zimmermann Spring 2026: Summertime Happiness
Nicky Zimmermann's psychedelic-tinged collection was inspired by the artists of Lavender Bay.
WWD Recommends
Nina Dobrev Interprets Miu Miu’s Industrial Mood in Distressed Combat Boots at Paris Fashion Week
The weathered ankle boots captured the tension between craft and grit central to the house's evolving…
Coperni Spring 2026: Feel Good Factor
Ideas rooted in wellness suffused Arnaud Vaillant and Sébastien Meyer's lineup, which featured their newly…
Miuccia Prada Gets Real at Miu Miu With Utilitarian Footwear Looks Paired With Aprons, Jackets and More Workwear
Miuccia Prada's latest collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week on Monday.
Kim Taehyung Suits Up for Celine
Uma Thurman took pics with the BTS star and called it a "lifetime photo."
Lori Harvey Shows Off Miu Miu’s New Take on Function in Glossy Black Slingbacks at Paris Fashion Week
The gold-buckled pair echoed Miuccia Prada's focus on "recognizing women's work" and everyday refinement.
EXCLUSIVE: Nicole Kidman Returns as Chanel Brand Ambassador
The actress was set to join guests at Matthieu Blazy's debut show for the house at Paris Fashion Week.
Getting Ready for Balenciaga Spring 2026 With Anna Van Patten
The "Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox" actress, who will star in the upcoming season of "Euphoria," shares a…
For Balenciaga Debut, Pierpaolo Piccioli Declared the Flip-flop Trend Here to Stay
The Balenciaga spring 2026 collection was presented on Saturday at Paris Fashion Week.
Emma Watson, Emma Corrin, Kylie Jenner and Laura Harrier Joined the Crowd at Miu Miu
Miu Miu had one of Paris Fashion Week's most densely packed front rows as well as a star-studded runway.
Lana Del Rey and Her Sister Caroline Grant Style Contrasting Hair Aesthetics at Zimmermann Spring 2026 Show in Paris
The two sisters attended the presentation on Monday alongside Olivia Wilde, Immy Waterhouse and Maddi…
Miu Miu Spring 2026: This Woman’s Work
Miuccia Prada dispensed with bullet bras to zhuzh up aprons, smocks and all manner of workwear.
The Row Summer 2026: Pure Play
This was a whisper of a collection from two pioneers of quiet luxury, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.