SS26 Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks Unite Art and Innovation

The season marking the end of the chaotic and energetic 2025 is introducing new forms of fashion that embrace technology, darkness, strength, humanity, and femininity. Both Milan and Paris bring unique flavors and pieces to the SS26 puzzle, influencing its look, mood, material, and style. Being the last half of the year, the women's season is usually bigger with both collections and events during the season.

Jean Paul Gautier SS26, courtesy of the brand.

However, despite a global slowdown in fashion, this season proved otherwise. Intense is the word to describe this SS26 season. Like a storm brewing in the night, the morning brought a flurry of constant events and fashion that really showed fireworks at the end of the year. Back-to-back events, runways, gatherings, showrooms, cocktails, and even watch parties showcased the support for the art of fashion. Both Milan and Paris had the most attendance at the fashion weeks than they have had in years.

The New Energy of SS26 Milan and Paris

Beautiful and supportive is the name of the season as brands, small to large, were celebrated in ways that were quite wonderful and positive. If you were not able to attend in person, virtual watch parties popped up to support designers' newest looks on the runway. The best part was also that the general public was being engaged directly by the major fashion organizations in Paris and Milan to heighten the positive look into the art of fashion. Open doors to exhibits in both Milan and Paris to get the public involved in what fashion is, as well as the artisanal craft that is fashion and luxury goods. 

Thom Browne SS26, courtesy of the brand.

Seeing the lines and looks on people's faces, the smiles, the surprise, the joy, was a highlight for me as I walked in these spaces. This turn of perspective and events really pushes the valuable cultural impact of fashion and what the actual art of fashion is at its core: wearable personal expression and art for everyone to enjoy. This core belief was present in all the events of the season, even with AI robots taking part in fashion audiences and new technology in clothing materials that nurture the human skin as you wear them.

Reinventing Fashion Through Identity and Innovation

Collections this season were smaller in retrospect to focus on the core of the brands. Visiting several designers directly revealed a shared sentiment: the importance of elegance, core brand identity, and imagination. There is a focus on producing smaller outputs to reduce the environmental impact of the seasons, with slow fashion being the path brands truly desire to take. To be able to explore and provide quality and timeless clothing that the clients can truly appreciate and enjoy for longer periods. This shift has been happening across Europe as brands have come to terms with the environmental impact of big collections and quality. This also seems to be blooming in ways that watch parties and more public interaction are occurring for the culture of fashion to survive and evolve further.

LAFORMELA SS26, courtesy of the brand.

This season also brought a windfall of smaller brands that are now emerging in droves. Portugal Fashion Collections was a showcase of some of the most spectacular fashion from Portugal. Dancey, colourful, elegant, and divine, highlighting similar cultural expertise in garments and design like in Italian artisan craft. Darker themes have really come into the light this season, highlighting romantic themes and embracing the darker themes within oneself with brands like Dominikat and Catholic Guilt. These ‘ones to watch’ brands really have mastered details and the elegance of their work, and have some beautiful pieces. Romantic and baroque themes were also more present this season with corsetry, royal themes, and edgy but brilliant leather work.

Technology in garments is now a real thing in the materials. Brands are experimenting with AI technology to assist in the flow and design of complex designs and work. Materials that have now become something more out of a science fiction movie, with interactive materials with the human body, such as the release from Coperni C+. Some of these materials are creating more colourful and beautiful patterns that were never possible before. We first start seeing this use of technology with the use of 3D printing for materials and items such as handbags, shoes, and jewellery.

Jitrois SS26, courtesy of the brand.

Now things are moving faster in making the materials interact with skin and assisting in the nurturing of your body. This is the opposite of the way chemicals were used in the past, which had long-term effects in a negative way on the human body. Exciting and bringing to light the endless possibilities of what clothes can do in the future.

A Season of Cultural Evolution and Artistic Unity

Overall, the SS26 season was a wonderful surprise. Expecting to see more of the same thing as the world is in chaos, this was not the case. Blooming into the next year, the amount of excitement and honoring the cultural value of fashion is just incredible for the season. Next year will bring more positive looks and styles that will keep evolving into something that really will carry us all past the chaos into a brighter world of fashion.

Trends:

• Seventies looks with the form and shapes, but with a contemporary twist.

Left to Right: Genny SS26, Céline SS26, courtesy of the brand.

• Hats, coverings, and handbags that complement the outfit and are an essential part of the outfit look.

Left to Right: Magda Butrym SS26, Agnès B SS26, courtesy of the brand.

• Belts, usually smaller, balance out the style and mood.

Victoria Bekham SS26, courtesy of the brand.

• Floral prints and floral details that are more reminiscent of classical painting and baroque looks.

Left to Right: Anteprima SS26, Genny SS26, courtesy of the brand.

• Romantic and gothic-looking outfits, either embracing darker themes or playing with gothic and romantic elements.

Left to Right: Judassime SS26, Dominikat SS26, courtesy of the brand.