Chanel & Dior Couture Debuts Follow a Grand Finale at Hermès in This Week's Top Fashion News

Summary

• Jonathan Anderson (Dior) and Matthieu Blazy (Chanel) unveiled awe-inspiring couture collections featuring surreal volumes and innovative craftsmanship.

• Saint Laurent and Willy Chavarria explored masculinity through tailored elegance, while Hermès said goodbye to its tenured creative director.

•  A$AP Rocky debuted his jewelry label PAVĒ NITEO at Chanel’s show, while on the Paris streets, footwear trends shifted between maximalist “stompers” and minimalist sneakers.

Véronique Nichanian Makes a Lasting Impression With Final Hermès Collection

After an incredible 38-year tenure, Véronique Nichanian presented her final collection for Hermès. The Fall/Winter 2026 show was a masterclass in the “informal chic” that defined her legacy. Rather than chasing trends, Nichanian revisited her own archives, focusing on weightless constructions, supple leathers, and sophisticated knitwear in a palette of inky blue and peat. Designed for a life in motion, the collection solidified Hermès as the global benchmark for effortless elegance, marking the end of one of fashion’s most stable and respected creative eras.

Matthieu Blazy’s Enchanted Haute Couture Debut at Chanel Is Full of Whimsy

Marking a new era for the maison, Matthieu Blazy delivered a magical Haute Couture debut for Chanel Spring 2026. Set within the Grand Palais under a forest of towering, candy-colored mushrooms, the collection embraced a sense of “impossible lightness.” Blazy reimagined the iconic Chanel suit using transparent silk mousseline and focused on avian metamorphosis. Eschewing literal feathers, the house utilized complex pleating and embroidery from the le19M ateliers to mimic bird plumage. Personal touches, such as love letters stitched into garment linings, added an intimate, narrative-driven soul to the whimsical “Alice in Wonderland” dreamscape.

Jonathan Anderson Unveils Debut Dior Haute Couture Collection at Musée Rodin

Jonathan Anderson’s first foray into Dior Haute Couture was a masterful tribute to the house’s legacy, specifically honoring John Galliano. Staged at the Musée Rodin, the collection featured a high-low dialogue that paired voluminous, architectural silhouettes with sheer ribbed tanks. Inspired by the ceramic work of artist Magdalene Odundo, Anderson softened rigid archival forms with fluid tulle and sculptural knitwear. Standout details included hand-painted aluminum jewelry and loafers crafted from 18th-century textiles. By blending historical reverence with contemporary subversion, Anderson successfully stamped his iconoclastic design language onto the storied codes of Dior.

Willy Chavarria Stages Live Drama Starring Emerging Latin Artists for FW26 Runway

Willy Chavarria brought the energy of the “barrio” to Paris with his “Eterno” FW26 show. The presentation functioned as a live drama, featuring performances by Latin stars like Feid, Mon Laferte, and Mahmood. The collection moved from moody, slim tailoring to Chavarria’s signature oversized “Big Willy” workwear. A major highlight was the reveal of a new adidas Originals collaboration, featuring Chicano-inspired tracksuits and football jerseys. The show concluded with elegant, shimmering gowns, proving Chavarria’s range as he blends queer identity with California Chicano culture.

A$AP Rocky Quietly Launches Jewelry Brand PAVĒ NITEŌ

A$AP Rocky has officially stepped into the fine jewelry world with the launch of PAVĒ NITEŌ. The rapper confirmed the venture while attending the Chanel couture show in Paris, where he debuted ornate, skull-shaped rings. Created in collaboration with historic Venetian jeweler A. Codognato, the collection draws heavy inspiration from “memento mori” themes and the gothic, surrealist artwork of Tim Burton. While trademark filings for the brand date back to 2024, the recent public reveal signals a full-scale launch. The pieces feature intricate craftsmanship reflecting the Italian Renaissance and Catholic iconographic traditions.

Best Footwear Trends at Paris Fashion Week Men’s FW26

Footwear at Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026 was a tale of two extremes: avant-garde subversion and technical utility. Comme des Garçons dominated the conversation with its Nike Sense 96 SP and the return of the “Cat Eye” Foamposite One. Meanwhile, maximalism remained a force through “mammoth” silhouettes like the Balenciaga 10XL and Rick Owens Mega Bumper. Technical performance also took center stage, with ASICS delivering dynamic colorways and Salomon maintaining its “gorpcore” dominance via collaborations with Carhartt WIP. From slim ballet-inspired flats to massive architectural stompers, the season’s footwear proved that variety is the ultimate trend.