The Small Moments That Made Paris Fashion Week Unforgettable

Tuesday, September 2, 2025 

Paris Fashion Week is always a big deal, but the Fall/Winter 2025 shows were something special. It wasn’t just about fancy clothes on the runway; it was about the stories, the people, and the small, funny moments that made it feel real. This season, fashion felt more like a movie, full of surprise characters and big scenes that everyone is still talking about.

The Return of Power and Dark Style
One of the biggest ideas on the runway was a change in how we think about powerful clothes. Designers moved away from soft styles and brought back strong, sharp looks. It was a trend called “power tailoring,” and it was everywhere.

You could see it most clearly at Saint Laurent, where designer Anthony Vaccarello showed outfits with very wide, strong shoulders and sharp lines. The models wore clothes that looked like they meant business, often in dark, serious colors. But there was a twist: he used a lot of lace, even for the most powerful looks, which made the outfits feel both strong and delicate at the same time. The all-lace sets in black, blue, and green were a major moment. It was a simple but powerful idea: you can be tough and still show a softer side.

Another brand that showed this strong, dark style was Balenciaga. The clothes here were a bit more deconstructed, like they had been taken apart and put back together in a new way. There were big, oversized trench coats with a futuristic, almost gloomy feel. It was like something out of a sci-fi movie, with a focus on practical, all-weather clothes that still looked dramatic. This mix of dark colors and bold shapes was a big theme for the week.

The “Lived-In” Look
On the other side of things, a completely different trend was born at the Miu Miu show. Designer Miuccia Prada wanted to explore a kind of “raw glamour”—the idea that beauty doesn’t have to be perfect or carefully planned. The collection felt like clothes you might just throw on, but they were actually very clever.

The clothes had a slightly undone feel, with raw edges and simple shapes. It was all about making glamour feel natural and easy, not stiff or difficult. This whole idea was brought to life in a fun and unexpected way when actress Sarah Paulson walked the runway. She wasn’t a professional model, and her walk felt real and natural, which was the whole point. She wore a simple black coat and a cloche hat with straps, and it was perfect for the vibe. Her appearance was one of the most talked-about moments on social media because it felt so real and authentic. It showed that style is about personality, not just the clothes themselves.

The Shows Everyone Talked About
Some of the best moments happened when the shows went beyond just clothes and became a performance.

The Dsquared2 show was a huge party. Designers Dean and Dan Caten celebrated their brand’s 30th birthday with a spectacle that was less a fashion show and more a wild street party. The runway looked like a neon-lit New York street with vintage taxis. At one point, musician Doechii started the show by throwing fake money from an armored truck. It was loud, fun, and completely chaotic. The grand finale was a funny surprise: supermodel Brigitte Nielsen came out dressed as a police officer and playfully “arrested” the two designers. This kind of funny, over-the-top scene is the real backstage gossip that gets shared and re-shared. It proved that fashion can be full of humor and fun.

At Schiaparelli, it was more about art than a party. The show was a breathtaking display of creativity from designer Daniel Roseberry. The clothes were like sculptures, with intricate details. A big moment came when a velvet gown was shown with gold anatomical details, which looked like something from a classic painting. Even more interesting were the famous people in the front row. Singer Cardi B was a big focus of social media because she had a live crow perched on her hand, a small but very memorable detail that fit the artistic, surreal feel of the show.

The Details that Defined the Week
Beyond the big themes and shows, a few smaller details popped up over and over again.

Midi skirts made a big comeback. Not too long, not too short, they were a perfect mix of classic and modern, appearing in collections from brands like Prada and Dior.

Faux fur was everywhere. Instead of real fur, designers used plush, fake fur to create cozy and dramatic looks. It was seen on everything from full coats to small accessories.

The color brown became the new black. While dark colors were still popular, different shades of brown—from deep chocolate to soft caramel—were used by many designers and gave the collections a rich, earthy feel.

Knee-high boots were a staple. They were paired with almost everything, from the tailored blazers at Saint Laurent to the flowing skirts at Dior, showing that they are a must-have item for the season.

Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2025 was a mix of a few things: classic power, lived-in style, and playful art. The real stories weren’t just on the runway but in the small details, the surprising guest appearances, and the funny, human moments that made it a season to remember.