Paris Fashion Week Debuts From Chanel, Loewe, Balenciaga & More In This Week's Top Fashion News

Summary

• Fashion houses Chanel, Loewe, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Balenciaga debuted highly anticipated collections from newly hired directors for SS26 at Paris Fashion Week.
• A$AP Rocky collaborated with PUMA on a jazz-inspired line, with a dedication to Harlem, NYC.
• Uniqlo has achieved record-breaking profits driven by its curated collaborations and pared-back “LifeWear” concept.

Matthieu Blazy’s Debut SS26 Collection Redefines the Chanel Woman

Matthieu Blazy, the new creative director for Chanel, debuted his Spring/Summer 2026 collection at Paris Fashion Week. The collection, which was his first since leaving Bottega Veneta, was a blend of past and present, honoring the codes of Gabrielle Chanel while injecting a sense of freedom and ease. The show featured menswear-inspired pieces like crisp shirts and tailored trousers, softened with hand-finished details. It also included reimagined Chanel signatures like tweeds and camellias, which were presented with new textures and a sense of movement. The collection culminated in looks with feathers, sheer embroidered gowns, and striped knits, showcasing a conversation between strength and softness. The overall feel was a joyful and forward-looking reinterpretation of the iconic brand.

Loewe SS26 Heralds A New Era While Honoring Its Long Legacy

Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler have taken over as the creative directors of Loewe, and their first collection for Spring/Summer 2026 at Paris Fashion Week was a bold one. The duo paid homage to Loewe’s Spanish roots with a vibrant, sunny color palette and surreal, beach-inspired numbers. The collection showcased a meticulous approach to leatherwork and tailoring with pieces that included leather mini-dresses, rigid leather blazers, and airy maxi dresses reminiscent of Flamenco attire. The designers also incorporated their signature playful silhouettes with asymmetrical gowns and dresses that moved with a bouncy, ruffled finish. The debut successfully balanced respect for Loewe’s rich history with a fresh burst of creative energy.

Balenciaga SS26: Piccioli’s Debut Pays Homage to the House’s Elders

Pierpaolo Piccioli made his much-anticipated debut as Balenciaga‘s creative director with a Spring/Summer 2026 collection that honored the brand’s history. The collection blended the founder Cristóbal Balenciaga’s vision with subtle nods to his predecessor, Demna. Archival references were evident in looks like a 1957 Sack Dress homage, while Demna’s influence was seen in oversized silhouettes. Piccioli’s personal touch was clear in the use of dazzling fringe, feathers, ruched floral appliqués, and a vibrant color palette of deep violets and neon lime green. The collection also included more casual pieces like washed denim and platform flip-flops. Piccioli’s debut successfully paid tribute to the house’s past while firmly establishing his own ornate and colorful aesthetic.

Duran Lantink’s Debut Jean Paul Gaultier SS26 Collection Bares It All

Duran Lantink‘s debut collection for Jean Paul Gaultier’s Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2026, titled “Junior,” was a provocative and unapologetic show. The collection was inspired by the hedonism of Amsterdam’s legendary RoXY club and Gaultier’s cult 1988-1994 line. Lantink’s signature “Duranification” process saw archival concepts reinvented with a raw, club-soaked energy. Iconic elements like the Marinière stripe were twisted into optical illusions, while the classic tattoo-on-mesh was inflated into 3D forms. The collection played with “dysmorphic” volumes and anatomical trompe l’oeil prints, most notably a hairy naked-look onesie. Presented in a low-lit basement, the collection was a bold and divisive resurrection of Gaultier’s ready-to-wear that proved to be a powerful new heartbeat for the brand.

A$AP Rocky x PUMA Collab: Mostro Inhale Collection

A$AP Rocky has teamed up with PUMA for his largest collection to date, titled “Built on Jazz in the Concrete Jungle.” As PUMA’s Creative Director, Rocky drew inspiration from his Harlem roots, specifically the Harlem Jazz Renaissance of the early 1900s. The collection features three footwear silhouettes along with a range of menswear and womenswear garments and accessories. Elements of faux fur, snakeskin, and leopard prints are prominent, with the faux fur being a nod to the Seneca Village Harlem establishment. The artist describes Harlem as the “mecca of fashion,” noting that his city has influenced his style and music. The collection is part of Rocky’s ongoing creative projects, all connected through his AWGE lens.

The Formula Fueling Uniqlo’s Record-Breaking Profits

Uniqlo is celebrating its fourth consecutive year of record-breaking profits, with its owner, Fast Retailing, seeing Japanese revenue surpass 1 trillion yen for the first time. According to Reuters, profits increased roughly 13%, reaching $3.69 billion (564.3 billion yen) in the 12 months ending in August 2025. Meanwhile, in North America, revenue and business profit grew by 24.5% and 35.1%, respectively, despite the US’s newly enacted tariffs. The worldwide numbers overtook the company’s own fiscal 2025 forecast of 545 billion yen, and Fast Retailing expects that 2026 operating profit may once again break records, reaching up to 610 billion yen.