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.
I didn’t like my outfit that I originally planned for the day, so I mixed up some of the extra pieces I brought with me to concoct a pink and green look, with a leopard print bag and some of my favorite sequin Marni hats.
My first show of the day was Paloma Wool, a contemporary label I always enjoy seeing because of the unusual but wearable combinations of statement skirts and stripes, and this season: understated sequin embellishment and colorful bow sashes. Models walked through a blue confetti-covered runway and there was a low-key relaxed vibe.
Next stop was the Jenny Fax re-see in the Marais. As one of my favorite rising labels, she makes really cool childhood inspired dresses covered in whimsical prints and her signature underwear motifs; you can see her influence everywhere lately at brands including Sandy Liang and Vaquera. This season, she made little undies pouch purses, pastel skirts designed with built-in garter straps and cartoon-covered dresses. And shoes! Extreme, unique and mind-bending, with panels that go up the back of the legs and jut out spiked heels from the back of the calf.
After that, I tried to go vintage shopping again before I realized that almost everything in Paris is closed on Sundays. So I went to Akris at Palais de Tokyo, where models walked through a gorgeous gold beaded curtain hanging from the ceiling while wearing chic embellished dresses with sequins and fringe. Creative director Albert Kriemler is a fantastic colorist, and I was enchanted with his takes on extremely bold greens and blues.
Time for a short meeting before I had to head to Jean Paul Gaultier. To my surprise, Gaultier himself walked out of the venue just as I was entering, to pose for the crowd of photographers and students who screamed his name. At first I thought it must be a K-pop star because of all the commotion. That was one of the best moments of the season–to see people so genuinely reacting to a one of fashion’s greatest provocateurs and history makers.
This season was Duran Lantink’s second collection for Jean Paul Gaultier–and one of the most exciting ones to look forward to. Last season, his out-of-the-box, body-shifting work was so different than what the public could imagine it was probably one of the most controversial collections of the entire season. I loved it; I think people misunderstood it.
For fall 2026, Lantink elevated his warped silhouettes into chic black tailoring with unusual sporty elements, mannequin motifs, graphic prints and inflated volumes. It felt not only inherently Gaultier, but also fresh, new, perceptive and witty. Lantink pulled many of the motifs directly from the JPG archives and reinterpreted them. He started with the inspiration of the label’s vintage mesh Marlene Dietrich designs. When the final walk happened, I spied several of the critics who gave him bad reviews last season literally smiling ear to ear. A few of the pieces emitted smoke as they blazed down the runway. The show notes cited “a detective, a cowboy, a raver, a steampunk figure or a banker on Fifth Avenue,” meeting as characters in the collection.
I had Ottolinger next but sadly had to miss it as it was running so behind; the next stop was McQueen far away in a tennis center on the outskirts of Paris. The venue felt doll house-like with draped sheer curtains throughout and some of the models wore masks or held them. Victorian inspired horror chic heroine babydolls walked the runway in mini dresses, 1960s inspired couture wonders and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details like molded butts and belly buttons on skirts. You can’t get much better than a chainmail crochet babydoll sweater. Silver bell necklaces, feather embellished bags and Victorian inspired cuff bracelets were some of my favorite accessories I saw in Paris. The finale had all the curtains drop down and the models circle down a raised platform. My favorite collection from creative director Seán McGirr so far!
All images © Sudden Chic.
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