CFOs Take Center Stage at Global Fashion Summit
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
Zendaya Brings Spring’s Hot New Hair Trend to the Louis Vuitton Fall 2026 Paris Fashion Week Show
The "Euphoria" star sat front row for Nicolas Ghesquière's latest collection on Tuesday.
Chase Infiniti Goes Monochromatic in Plum Coords at the Louis Vuitton Show
The actress sat in the front row for the fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection presentation.
Jennifer Connelly Brings Airy Luxury to Louis Vuitton Show
The actress wore a look from the maison's spring 2026 ready-to-wear collection.
WWD Recommends
Chanel Fall 2026 Shoes: Metallics, Embellishments, Stripes and More Vibrant Details
Matthieu Blazy presented a range of silhouettes.
Shiatzy Chen Fall 2026: Jade Tales
The collection carried a luminous, almost mineral clarity that kept the opulence in check.
EXCLUSIVE: Paris Couture House Maggy Rouff Set for Revival
Luvanis SA, which specializes in reviving heritage houses, is behind the relaunch.
EXCLUSIVE: WSN to Launch New Experiential Trade Show in October
Dubbed "Jill," the new annual event launching in October will span four days for professionals and the public…
Ungaro Fall 2026: Culture Shock
At Ungaro, Kobi Halperin took inspiration from John Singer Sargent's portrait of Madame X.
Chanel Fall 2026: The Butterfly Effect
Matthieu Blazy offered "dresses that crawl and dresses that fly."
Teyana Taylor Talks Red Carpets and Rue, While Lily-Rose Depp Gets Catty at Chanel
Plus a trio of mononymous singers — Angèle, Gemini and Jennie — made Matthieu Blazy's front row.
Chanel Fall 2026 Front Row Shoes: Teyana Taylor, Margot Robbie and More Take on Chanel’s Two-toned Styles
The fall 2026 show was presented in Paris on Monday.
Olivia Deans Plays With Texture at Chanel’s Fall 2026 Show in Paris
The "So Easy" singer wore Look 67 from the Chanel Métiers d'Art 2026 Collection.
Teyana Taylor Goes Icy and Incognito at Chanel
The Oscar-nominated actress styled an icy look for the fall 2026 ready-to-wear presentation.
Kiko Kostadinov Fall 2026: Birds of a Feather
Sisters Laura and Deanna Fanning looked to birds and those who watch them for a collection that was both…
Paloma Wool Fall 2026: Prolonged Adolescence
The designer took strict, uniform-like tailoring and laced it with nylon bows and stuffed animals to turn…