### Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026: Key Highlights and Insights
**1. Matthieu Blazy’s Debut as Chanel’s Creative Director**
Matthieu Blazy’s debut as Chanel’s creative director was highly anticipated, and he delivered a show that introduced a sharper, more measured direction for the iconic brand. Known previously for his precise tailoring at Bottega Veneta, Blazy focused on structure and purpose, bringing menswear elements to the forefront.
One of the most notable features of his first collection was the reinterpretation of classic menswear pieces: oversized shirts crafted by Charvet—one of Paris’s oldest bespoke shirtmakers—paired with cropped blazers and relaxed, slouchy trousers. This styling gave movement and ease to Chanel’s traditional structure, balancing masculine and feminine dressing.
Blazy stripped away the excess nostalgia and refocused on Coco Chanel’s original ideas concerning shape and structure. His restrained color palette of ivory, dove grey, and caramel ensured attention remained on cut and movement. The audience widely admired his approach, stating that he modernized Chanel without losing its discipline or emotional core.
**Correct answer:** b) He reinterpreted classic menswear by using oversized shirts from Charvet and cropped blazers paired with slouchy trousers.
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**2. Loewe’s New Leadership and Their Spring/Summer 2026 Debut**
Following a leadership shake-up, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez took over creative direction at Loewe from Jonathan Anderson. Their Spring/Summer 2026 debut was characterized by vibrantly colored sporty and leather-focused pieces that celebrated Loewe’s strong Spanish roots alongside playful textures.
Known for their New York-based label Proenza Schouler, the duo emphasized color, material, and movement. Leather—Loewe’s hallmark—appeared in soft dresses, relaxed separates, and wrap skirts that looked both practical and refined. They also incorporated whimsical touches like towel-textured fabrics, athletic stripes, and two-tone tights, evoking sportswear and summer leisure while maintaining precision.
The show was described by fashion critics as tactile and confident, marking a clear, modern, sensual, and self-aware direction for Loewe.
**Correct answer:** c) A vibrantly coloured sporty and leather-focused collection with strong Spanish roots and playful textures.
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**3. Jonathan Anderson’s Transition to Christian Dior**
This year, Jonathan Anderson moved from Loewe to Christian Dior as the new creative director. His collection for Dior embraced the challenge of redefining femininity for a house deeply rooted in heritage. Rather than discarding the archive, Anderson chose to reshape it by blending heritage pieces with fantasy and surreal elements.
Signature designs like the Bar Jacket returned in cropped and distorted forms featuring larger curves and sharper cuts. Oversized bows, sculpted drapes, and surreal fabrics lent a theatrical flair, while practical pieces such as cotton shirts, cargo trousers, and lace dresses grounded the collection in everyday wearability.
Critics praised the show as a nuanced dialogue between Dior’s ateliers and modern streetwear, showcasing Anderson’s remarkable ability to merge avant-garde design with commercial appeal. His Dior debut was not merely about spectacle—it explored how a luxury brand could resonate with modern audiences without losing its identity.
**Correct answer:** d) He played with heritage pieces and introduced fantasy and surreal elements.
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**4. Sustainability Leadership at PFW SS26**
Sustainability, craft, and material innovation were significant themes this season. Among the designers, Stella McCartney stood out for her strong commitment to ethical fashion. Her Spring/Summer 2026 show at the École des Beaux-Arts made headlines for using 100 percent cruelty-free materials and 98 percent sustainable fabrics.
The collection incorporated regenerated nylon, recycled cashmere, organic cotton, and plant-based leather as alternatives to traditional textiles. It included tailored jackets, crochet tops, and fluid vegan silks. The show’s design, sound, and set reinforced an overarching message of environmental awareness, with nature-inspired audio complementing biodegradable decor.
McCartney’s collaborations with biotech and textile innovators demonstrated fashion’s potential to drive meaningful progress. Critics described the collection as optimistic and precise, highlighting how ethics and elegance can coexist seamlessly on the runway.
**Correct answer:** b) Stella McCartney.
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**5. Celebrity Appearances at Paris Fashion Week SS26**
Celebrity presence was a defining feature at Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026. Notably, Nicole Kidman made her first official appearance as Chanel’s new ambassador. At the Chanel show, she wore wide-leg jeans paired with an oversized white shirt, reflecting the collection’s simplicity and restraint.
Seated alongside Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, and Jennie from BlackPink, Kidman symbolized Chanel’s effort to connect its legacy with younger audiences. Her appointment marked a subtle shift toward authenticity and understated elegance rather than pure glamour.
Reports described her as graceful and visibly moved by the creative transformation underway. Images of her look quickly circulated across major fashion outlets, emphasizing that her presence was more than mere celebrity participation—it represented how Chanel and Paris Fashion Week are redefining visibility and continuity through quiet confidence.
**Correct answer:** a) Nicole Kidman was officially announced as Chanel’s new ambassador.
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Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analyses from Paris Fashion Week SS26!
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