Inside the Summer Fashion Cycle: SS26 Menswear Meets FW25 Haute Couture
- Michael Foust
- Jul 17
- 5 min read
As Summer heats up across the world with events, summer holidays, and the end of the first half of the fashion cycle coverage, this cycle was brilliant! Both Milan and Paris have unique flavours for fashion that intertwine and create together the fashion for the world. During the summer cycle of fashion, the uniqueness is within the smaller crowds, different designers, and of course, centered around menswear and Haute Couture. However, there is still a lot of mixing with women's and men's in these seasons that are back to back, which is a positive contribution to the year. There are so many designers and collections that all the seasons mix together with runway, boutique openings, presentations, art, parties, and of course, intimate meetings with brands in showing their work. I love this part as you get a variety of coverage, experiences, and styles that interview and mix together in a coherent season.
Milan has been smaller and focusing more on the Autumn fashion season due to the economic conditions in the fashion industry. This year has seen a lot of changes with designers, collection sizes, and events. The fashion ocean flows with highs and lows throughout the years, but still has a lot of mass in creativity and inspiration.
Milan’s Refined Direction and Boutique Highlights
Milians' own Casa Preti collaborated with artist Claire Fountain for their Capitalism collection this season. An intimate and sized collection featured clean looks with thought-provoking prints. Their attention to detail and their overall looks are stunning and handsome. Italian brand Genny opened a new boutique in Milan to highlight its elegant couture. Refined works and an overall collection that is perfect for looks. The Autumn season in Milan is something to look forward to as the looks and styles are in the details that are a fine wine that boasts classic and detailed couture.
Moving northward in the EU to the capital of fashion, Paris, is always a perfection that hosts a perfect mix of wearable art in all its forms. The Men's season was to start with SS26, mixing both men's and women's fashion on the runway and collections. There were a lot of nice and exciting surprises in fashion accessories for men.
Paris: The Heart of Fashion Artistry
Charlotte Chesnais was a highlight in creating a collection for Men that was not only classic, but strong and confident in a way I never thought before with jewellery. Her 'Wave' collection revealed some looks for Men that embraced both masculine and feminine energy in one. The pieces were well thought out, inspiring, and added to Men's style in a way that was creative and handsome.
Camperlab, known for their footwear, showed their incredible runway collection for SS26. Reptilian leather in red was one of the most striking in the work. The choreography and wet looks were strong, and held a confidence that was a 'wow'. Seeing the work on the runway was a wonderful experience, and sitting behind the designer and seeing his reactions to the crowd was priceless. His fashion journey really came into something that is exciting and something that makes a great men's look.
Camperlab during PFW Homme 2025, courtesy of the brand.
Moynat opened their 34M boutique in the area where Dior and other brands line the streets with high-end style. Handbags made just for the store complement Men's style with pieces that are timeless.
Moving to the runway collections, the season did not disappoint. Brands from Asia - Doublet, Kidill, and Undercover - created looks that are clean, crisp, and stunning. Japanese Denim, stand-alone pieces in accessories that complement the mix of the punky, alternative, and fun looks that were delivered. Bright colours, balanced, with a humor that not only is colourful, but overall looks that melt together to arrive at a place of brilliance.
Left: Doublet during Homme 2025, courtesy of Michael Foust.
Right: Kidill during Homme 2025, courtesy of Michael Foust.
Walter Van Beirendonck with his SS26 collection was full of his artistic vision that is unique, cool, and with an artistic vision that embodies his long career in the fashion industry. Meeting with him, he is focused, gentle, and intelligent in his designs with each of his pieces. Each of his looks for the season was complete and intriguing in a way that is a wow moment, and also stylish.
Women’s Looks in a Co-Ed Season
The mix of the season with some women's style mixed into the cycle creates a balanced look and feel for the session. Patou, what can I say about them other than I love this brand. Their signature collars, crisp looks, and fine details made for some beautiful and sensual pieces.
Marine Serre, along with M/SA, were also memorable in this season. Unique patterns with prints that finished the work, energetic flow with lighting, and hot looks for the season. Overall, all the works from these brands added confident and pleasing styles and fabrics to the season.
After a quick breather, the Haute Couture season, a week of Men's forecasting, a beautiful and classic feminine style. Serendipity Paris created some incredibly elegant and sophisticated jewellery pieces for the season. Natural backdrops and landscapes influenced the co-location with delicate and classic pieces. Long-lasting elegance and fine details make each piece important and a work of art.
Haute Couture FW25: Feminine Form, Elevated
Up-and-coming designer Lever Couture out of Los Angeles presented her collection at Palais de Tokyo with a beautiful ballet performance complementing her work. Using her Ukrainian background to put her culture and fine details into every piece, she made some style and haute couture that was jaw-dropping.
Ardazaei, RDVK, Phan Huy, and Giambattista Valli, with their mastery in form, function, femininity, and goddess looks, made for a very high point in the season, truly a gift to the female form in every piece. Juana Martin and the duo of Viktor & Rolfwith, with their emotional and elegant work with sculptural details, jewellery, and a style that evokes emotion and is a spiritual experience on the runway.
Finally, to mate up a perfect couple for the week with performances in the Louvre by Jordan Roth and Clara Yse. Beautiful and moving performances that balance and add to the relationship with Haute Couture and art.
This season's cycle was a surprise in many ways. Growing larger overall every year, but with a flavor of fashion that is different, and is a piece of the overall puzzle in the fashion year. Mens fashion preceding Haute Couture is a good match and brings and sustains the excitement for Women's fashion in the Fall.
Having more to see and experience in this cycle is a positive experience for coverage. Being a part of the complete year and covering a variety of events reveals many aspects of the season that are fun. The men's season is constantly expanding and evolving into a more refined look and style for men's fashion, something that has been lacking for a long time. Haute Couture is an art in itself. Mastery of the feminine style and glamour that complements the sophistication and loving looks that are Haute Couture.
Key Fashion Trends This Season
Men's Accessories like hats, jewellery, shoes, and handbags that are more sophisticated and masculine.
Alternative looks that are no longer just dark but fun, upbeat, and just cool.
More refined masculine looks and style using better materials.
Haute Couture uses more materials in a unique and creative fashion to complement movement and feminine form.
Movement in the dress or sculptural details that refine curves and flow.
Jewellery that is just jaw-dropping and getting more and more detailed and organic-looking.
सहेली स्मार्ट कार्ड दिल्ली को केवल गुलाबी टिकट के कागज़ी झंझट को खत्म करने के लिए नहीं, बल्कि महिला सुरक्षा और उनके सशक्तिकरण को एक डिजिटल पहचान देने के लिए देखा जाना चाहिए।