Welcome to our new series: an unfiltered, stream of consciousness Paris fashion week fall 2026 diary recounting the real life moments, thoughts, and magical highlights that make the best week of fashion month so interesting.
On the third day of Paris Fashion Week, I wore my Simone Rocha rose-filled coat; I added more fake flowers myself a while ago, and styled it with my antique bonnet.
Courrèges was my first stop: more unusual this season, packing guests into a mini crowd-crushed runway with a single aisle big enough only for one model to walk down. Some people left before sitting down due to the crowd being so intense as photographers swarmed K-Pop stars. It was the 5th anniversary show for the designer Nicolas Di Felice. The atmosphere, complete with a ticking clock, inability to move, and pieces like a really cool dress covered in coat check tickets created an impactful feeling of urgency and anxiety. It’s no wonder the invitation was an actual alarm clock.
I ran over to Caroline Hú, one of my favorite emerging designers who has a dark, ethereal, feminine energy with ruffled dresses and gowns full of roses. She hosted an extremely bewildering and artistic dance performance that was really memorable and striking–extremely surprising and the kind of thing you think about for days after. You have to watch it to understand it. I spotted the iconic hairstylist Eugene Souleiman (he does the hair for many of the most famous Japanese designers) stayed to watch the performance (if you know; the beauty team always jets away before the show).
Next was Antonin Tron’s Balmain debut; so exciting. I went backstage for the group interview and he said he was inspired by the 1940s archives of the brand and minimalist opulence. Balmain had such a history of specific eras of different aesthetics, I hope we get to see Tron create something a bit more surprising and defining in the future. For now, who is Balmain? It was a nice start, with some really great animal prints, ’80s aesthetic and perfectly wearable. But I desperately want a Balmain that screams personality.
After that, I raced to the outskirts of Paris to get to the horse racetrack where Stella McCartney was taking place. The invite was a My Little Pony, so naturally my expectations were extremely high! I saw Paul McCartney and Oprah. The show began with the famed equestrian artist Jean-François Pignon showcasing some beautiful show pony skills. A few years ago, Stella McCartney worked with him to create a similar presentation. The colorful rainbow rhinestone studded heart-shaped tops and jeans were extremely joyful and fun—absolutely some of the first pieces I saw in Paris this season (by day three!) that I would actually want to own and wear.
Rushed back to the center of Paris for Acne Studios. The brand has changed a lot in the last few years: I now see it as sort of a playground for trends and experimentation. I really, really loved the cropped fur-cuffed pants/boots combinations and button-covered bags. Also; huge silk scarves trailing as one walks. I think silk scarves will be one of the biggest trends to come out of the fall 2026 season.
All images © Sudden Chic.
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